276 The Black Walnut. 



Canada, the United States, Mexico, and the West Indies. The 

 fruit is oily and richly flavored, and is sold in the markets for eat- 

 ing, and when young and before the shell hardens, it is often used 

 as pickles. The outer husk of the fruit, and sometimes the bark, 

 are used in dyeing. 



1108. THE BLACK WALNUT (Juglans nigra). This tree derives 

 its name from the color of the heart-wood, which is of a dark tinge, 

 and it has long been a favorite material for cabinet-wares. When 

 exposed to the weather, it is durable, and in the first settlement of 

 regions where it was common it was much used for posts and rails. 



1109. When the wood of this tree has a waved or curly grain, it 

 is highly prized for veneers. Such pieces are best obtained from a 

 crotch of large limbs, or from the stump and large roots, or, better 

 still, from the large burls or excrescences that are sometimes found 

 on the trunk. Enormous prices have been paid for single trees hav- 

 ing an exceptionally fine grain. 



1110. This may be justly regarded as among the most valuable 

 of our native species, and in a rich and rather humid soil is among 

 the most profitable to plant. It will grow very well, but not so 

 rapidly, upon lands that are dry, and in a climate approaching the 

 arid, and it is found well adapted for cultivation upon the prairies 

 and the eastern borders of the great plains. As it sends dowu a 

 strong tap-root, and is very liable to suffer in transplanting, it 

 should always be planted where it is to remain. This may be done 

 in autumn or early in the spring, ^aud if the latter, from nuts that 

 have been exposed to freezing, as elsewhere described. 



1111. There is another fact to be noticed, in reference to this 

 tree, that deserves attention. In the more westerly States, where 

 the blue-grass thrives, it is very apt to get into a black walnut 

 grove, and unless carefully kept out by cultivation, it will injure its 

 growth. This happens from the fact that the grass starts very 

 early, and even matures its seed before the foliage of the trees is 

 fully opened. 



1112. It is therefore best to plant it alternately with other trees 

 that put forth their leaves earlier, although they may not be worth 

 as much for their wood, such as soft maples, box-elder, or cotton- 

 wood. The latter have the further advantage of compelling the 

 black walnut trees to run up straight and high, and they serve to 

 shelter and protect it from the hot sun and from drying winds. 



