DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 193 



many miles about that country under a continual arbor or 

 close walk, the traveller both refreshed with the fruit and 

 shade. How much such public plantations improve the 

 glory and wealth of a nation ! In several places betwixt 

 Hanau and Frankfort in Germany, no young farmer is 

 permitted to marry a wife till he bring proof that he hath 

 planted, and is the father of a stated number of walnut 

 trees."* 



The nuts are imported into this country in great 

 quantities ; and as they are chiefly brought from Spain 

 and the Madeiras, they are here almost entirely known by 

 the name of the Madeira nut. The tree is but little 

 cultivated among us, though highly deserving more 

 extensive favor, both on account of its value and beauty. 

 It grows well in the climate of the middle states, and bears 

 freely ; a specimen eighteen or twenty years old, in the 

 garden of the author, has reached thirty-five feet in height, 

 and bears two or three bushels of fine fruit annually ; from 

 which we have already propagated several hundred 

 individuals. It is not perfectly hardy north of this. 



As an ornamental tree, Gilpin remarks, that the warm 

 russet hue of its young foliage makes a pleasing variety 

 among the vivid green of other trees, about the end of 

 May ; and the same variety is maintained in summer, by 

 the contrast of its yellowish hue, when mixed in any 

 quantity with trees of a darker tint. It stands best alone, 

 as the early loss of its foliage is then of less consequence, 

 and its ramification is generally beautiful. 



The Butternut (/. cathartica) belongs to this section, 

 and is chiefly esteemed for its fruit, which abounds in oil, 

 and is very rich and sweet. The foliage somewhat 



Hunter's Evelyn, p. 168. 

 13 



