THE NEW METHOD OF EDUCATION 83 



color. The rays are very fine indeed, and also the 

 ducts. The wood is rather heavy and tough. It is 

 used for various purposes, such as bureaus, ward- 

 robes, brackets, book-cases, chairs, tables, gun-stocks, 

 and picture frames. In that part of the country 

 where the walnut trees flourish, the wood is some- 

 times used for fences, as it will last a great while. 



" The black walnut tree has a compound leaf, with 

 a variable number of leaflets. The leaflets are of a 

 pointed ovate shape, and. are net-veined and feather- 

 veined. The margin is serrate and the veins show 

 very plainly. The mid-vein is very nearly round, 

 and is of a dark brown color with tiny white hairs. 

 The leaflets are opposite on the mid-vein. The leaf 

 is generally about one foot long, sometimes more. 

 The petiole is about four inches long, but the petioles 

 of the leaflets are very short indeed. The leaflets 

 are about two or three inches long and are lighter on 

 the under side than on the upper. One reason why 

 the black walnut tree is so graceful is because the 

 leaves are so long and have so many leaflets. When 

 the leaves are full of sap they are quite fragrant. In 

 the autumn the leaves turn to a yellowish color. 



" The walnut is very large and very nearly round. 

 The epicarp, or outer shell, is quite thick and hard, 

 and is rough and pebbly. When the nut is on the 

 tree the epicarp is green, but when dry it is of a light 



