56 CHESTNUT. 



turity, being towards the end of August It is said to have originated in 

 Rhode Island. 



WHITE TARTARIAN, White Transparent Crimea, Prater's White, Guignt 

 de Rustic btanc. A beautiful cherry, pale yellow, approaching to amber 

 next the sun ; a much admired fruit, of excellent flavour: a good bearer, 

 ripening early in July. 



CHESTNUT. 

 CHATAIGNER, Castanea. 



THE Chestnut is well known as a large tree, spreading its 

 branches finely where it has room, but planted closely, will 

 shoot up straight to a great height. It is supposed to have 

 been originally from Sardis. It is so common as to be con- 

 sidered a native of France and Italy, and some consider it 

 as naturalized in England ; it is also indigenous in America. 

 The London catalogues contain the names of thirty-two 

 sorts under cultivation. The Chestnut is, like the Walnut, 

 both a timber and fruit tree ; some of the oldest trees in the 

 world are of this species.* The American Chestnut differa 

 so little from the European, that no specific distinction can 

 be drawn. It is one of the largest trees of the forest, the 

 wood being extremely durable, and in high esteem for posts 

 and rails to construct fences ; and the nuts are very delicious. 

 The Castanea pumila, or Chinquapin nut, is a small tree, or 

 rather shrub, growing to the height of thirty feet in the 

 Southern States, but seldom exceeding ten in cold latitudes ; 

 the fruit is very sweet and agreeable to eat. 



There is a variety with striped leaves, which is very orna- 

 mental. The most esteemed of the French kinds are called 

 Marron. Some excellent fruit-bearing varieties are culti- 



* At Fortworth, in Gloucestershire, EngUnd. is a large tree, fifty-two 

 feet round, which in 1 150 was called the "Great Chestnut of Fortwonh.'* 

 Marsham states that this tree is 11 00 years old, and that the timber is al- 

 most incorruptible, and more durable than oak. Its durability is commen- 

 surate with the long life of the tree. 



