NUTS. 



A NUT is a one-celled fruit, and contains when mature only (as a rule) one seed, 

 *"* called a nucleus or kernel, enveloped by a pericarp (rind or shell) of a leathery, 

 hard, or woody texture. The chestnut is an example of a nut with a leathery, the 

 common hazel-nut of one with a hard, and the walnut of one with a woody, shell. These 

 comprise the whole of the nuts worthy of cultivation in this country for their kernels. 



CHESTNUT. 



THE Spanish, or Sweet, Chestnut (Castanea sativa) is a stately tree, with spear- 

 shaped leaves and tapering serratures at the edge. The flowers are yellowish, the 

 male on long cylindrical catkins, and the female, two or three together, in a prickly 

 fcur-lobed involucre (bracts). The long hanging clusters of bloom appear about June, 

 and the fruit, which is ripe in October, is enveloped in a husk defended by numerous 

 complicated prickles. The chestnut tree is supposed to be a native of Asia Minor, and 

 to have been cultivated in Europe from time immemorial, for its nuts, which are eaten 

 as gathered, or baked and flavoured with salt. The developed tree is ornamental, and 

 the timber is useful. Young trees are used for posts, fencing poles, stakes, and hop- 

 poles, but' trees grown close together in coppices are scarcely calculated to produce 

 much fruit. 



Varieties, Devonshire Prolific (New Prolific) produces larger and finer-flavoured 

 fruit, and ripens more thoroughly an abundant and general crop than any other. Down- 

 ton (Knight's Prolific) is distinguished by the very short spines on the husks, and, 

 though a fine nut, is not produced so abundantly and certainly as the preceding. There 

 are many French and Spanish varieties ; Nouzillard, a French variety, is one of the 

 best, and Exalade, a dwarf grower, is recommended for garden or orchard culture. 



Propagation. Chestnut trees are readily grown from the seed, and varieties increased 

 by budding and grafting. Seedlings from the improved varieties are apt to degenerate 

 to some extent ; yet a large percentage of good sorts may be expected and some distinct 

 forms. 



