NUT-BEARING TREES 



and rage in his language ; and I have never 

 looked since at the fellow who did the deed 

 without reprobation. More than that, he has 

 proven a theory I hold — that no really good 

 man would do such a thing after he had been 

 shown the wrong of it — by showing himself as 

 dishonest in business as he was disregardful of 

 the rights of the tree and of his neighbors. 



The black walnut is a grand tree from any 

 point of view, even though it so fully absorbs 

 all water and fertility as to check other growth 

 under its great reach of branches. The lines 

 it presents to the winter sky are as rugged as 

 those of the oak, but there is a great differ- 

 ence. And this ruggedness is held far into the 

 spring, for the black walnut makes no slightest 

 apparent effort at growth until all the other 

 trees are greening the countryside. Then with 

 a rush come the luxuriant and tropical com- 

 pound leaves, soon attaining their full dignity, 

 and adding to it also a smooth polish on the 

 upper surface. The walnut's flowers I have 

 missed seeing, I am sorry to say, while regis- 

 tering a mental promise not to permit another 

 season to pass without having that pleasure. 



163 



