194 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



resembles that of the Black walnut, though the leaflets are 

 smaller and narrower. The form of the nut, however, is 

 strikingly different, being oblong, oval, and narrowed to a 

 point at the extremity. Unlike the walnut, the husk is 

 covered with a sticky gum, and the surface of the nut is 

 much rougher than any other of the walnut genus. The 

 bark of the butternut is grey, and the tops of old trees 

 generally have a flattened appearance. It is frequently 

 an uncoutb ill-shapen, and ugly tree in form, though 

 occasionally, also, quite striking and picturesque. And it 

 is well worthy of a place for the excellence of its fruit.* 



THE HICKORY TREE. Carya. 



Nat. Ord. Juglandacese. Lin. Syst. Moncecia, Polyandria. 



The hickories are fine and lofty North American trees, 

 highly valuable for their wood, and the excellent fruit 

 borne by some of the species. The timber is extremely 

 elastic, and very heavy, possessing great strength and 

 tenacity. It is not much employed in architecture, as it is 

 peculiarly liable to the attacks of worms, and decays 

 quickly when exposed to moisture. But it is very exten- 

 sively employed for all purposes requiring great elasticity 

 and strength ; as for axletrees, screws, the wooden rings 

 used upon the rigging of vessels, whip-handles, and axe- 



* Loudon errs greatly in his Arboretum, in supposing the butternut to be 

 identical with the Black walnut : no trees in the whole American forest are 

 more easily distinguished at first sight. He also states the fruit to be rancid 

 and of little value ; but no American lad of a dozen years will accord with 

 him in this opin on. 



