IN EXTRA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 61 



America. Wood very tough ; the heart wood reddish or dark- 

 coloured ; much used for axletrees and axe-handles. 



Carya microcarpa, Nuttall. 



The Balsam-Hickory. North America. A fine lofty tree 

 attaining a height of 80 feet, and a stem of 2 feet in 

 diameter. The wood is white and tough, and possessed of 

 most of the good qualities of C. tomentosa, to which this 

 species is also in other respects allied. The nut is of a pleasant 

 taste, but small (Nuttall). 



Carya oliviformis, Nuttall.* 



The Pecan- Nut Tree of North America. A handsome lofty 

 tree up to 70 feet high, with a straight trunk. The most 

 rapid growing of all the hickories (Meehan). Its wood is 

 coarse-grained, heavy and compact, possessing great strength 

 and durability ; in strength and elasticity it surpasses even 

 that of the White Ash (Harrison) and is quite as durable. 

 The nuts, which are usually abundant, are from an inch to an 

 inch and a half long, and are the most delicious of all 

 walnuts ; they form an object of commerce in the Southern 

 States. The tree commences to bear nuts in about 8 years ; 

 they should be packed in dry moss or sand for distant 

 transmission. Although the wood of all the hickories is not 

 adapted for building purposes, as it is easily attacked by 

 insects and soon decays if exposed to the weather, yet its 

 great strength and elasticity render it extremely useful for 

 implements, articles of furniture, hoops, and many minor 

 uses, besides supplying locally the very best of fuel. Hickories, 

 even when very young, do not well bear transplantation, 

 except perhaps C. amara. C. alba and C. glabra would be 

 particularly recommendable for the sake of their timber, and 

 C. oliviformis on account of its fruit. The bark of all the 

 hickories contains yellow-dye principles ; by addition of copperas 

 an olive colour is produced ; by addition of alum a green colour. 



Carya snlcata, Nuttall.* 



The Furrowed Hickory and Shelbark Hickory of some dis- 

 tricts; also Shagbark Hickory. A tree, 80 feet high, in 

 damp woods of North America. Its rate of growth is about 

 18 inches in a year while young. Heartwood pale-coloured. 

 Seed of sweet pleasant taste. 



Carya tomentosa, Nuttall.* 



The Mocker-Nut Tree or White Heart Hickory. A big tree 



