1440 ARBORETUM AND FRUTICETUM. PART III. 



them in a day. It grows with equal rapidity, when young, as the J. nigra; 

 but the trunk ramifies at a less height; and, the branches extending more hori- 

 zontally than those of most other trees, and spreading widely, a large and flat 

 tufted head is formed, which gives the tree, in America, more especially in 

 exposed situations, a most remarkable appearance. In Britain, we have 

 scarcely seen any old trees ; and, never having observed any fruit on the 

 few of middle size which we have seen bearing this name, we have always 

 been in doubt as to the specific difference between them and J. nigra. 



Geography, ,/uglans cinerea is found in Upper and Lower Canada, and in 

 the temperate regions of the United States; but not in the lower parts of the 

 Carolinas, of Georgia, and of East Florida. It grows vigorously in Vermont, 

 where the winter is so rigorous, that sledges are used during four months of 

 the year. Michaux has seen no trees of it so large as some in New Jersey, 

 on the steep and elevated banks of the Hudson, nearly opposite to the city of 

 New York. There the woods are thin, the soil cold, unproductive, and in- 

 terspersed with large rocks. In the interstices of the latter, the butter-nut 

 may be found 50 ft. high, with trunks measuring 10ft. or 12ft. in circum- 

 ference at 5 ft. from the ground ; the roots extending horizontally, close 

 under the surface, and with little variation in point of thickness, to the dis- 

 tance of 40ft. from the tree. 



History. J. cinerea appears to have been first sent to Europe in 1G99, at 

 which period it was cultivated by the Duchess of Beaufort; but whether in 

 her garden at Chelsea, or in that at Badminton, we are not aware. It is 

 said to have been grown by Miller; but, from his description of it, as having 

 only two pairs of leaflets, we think it more likely that the plant he describes 

 has been some other species under this name. At present, J. cinerea is not 

 unfrequent in British and French nurseries ; and nuts are annually imported 

 by the seedsmen ; but we know of very few large trees. 



Properties and Uses. The wood of Juglans cinerea is light, of a reddish 

 colour, and of little strength ; but it possesses, in common with the wood of 

 all the species of the genera of this order, the great advantage of lasting long, 

 and of being secure from the annoyance of worms. In America, it is never 

 used in towns for the construction of houses ; but in the country, in some 

 districts, it is used for sleepers and sills in the framework of barns and 

 other farm buildings. As it long resists the effects of heat and moisture, it is 

 valued for posts and rails, and for watering and feeding-troughs for the use of 

 cattle. Being lighter, and less liable to split, than the wood of the red maple, 

 it is preferred to it for corn shovels and wooden dishes. Canoes and small 

 skiffs are also made of it, and at Windsor, in Veimont, coach panels. The 

 medicinal properties of the bark have been proved by several eminent Ame- 

 rican physicians. An extract, or a decoction, sweetened with honey, is a sure 

 and safe purgative, unattended, even in the most delicate constitutions, with 

 pain or irritation. The bark is also applied to cure the toothach, and to 

 dye wool of a dark brown colour; though, for this last purpose, it is inferior 

 to the bark of J. nigra. If an incision is made in the trunk of the tree, in the 

 month which precedes the unfolding of the leaves, a copious discharge of 

 slightly sugary sap takes place, from which, by evaporation, an inferior sugar 

 is obtained. On the whole, notwithstanding the various properties of this 

 tree in the United States, Michaux does not think it sufficiently valuable, 

 either in the arts or for fuel, to recommend its introduction into the forests 

 of Europe. It should, he says, find a place only in our pleasure-grounds. 



Statistics. In the environs of London arc some trees bearing this name, in the Chelsea Botanic 

 (iarden, and at Syon ami Purser's Cross, which are from 30 ft. to 40 ft high ; and in the Horticul- 

 tural Society's Garden there is one which, in 1834, after being 10 years planted, was from 2()ft. to 

 25ft. high. In Loddiges's arboretum, one is 18ft. high. In France, at Toulon, in the Botanic 

 Garden, 40 years planted, it is GO ft. high; diameter of the trunk 1 ft. (i in., and of the head 25 It. In 

 Saxony, at \V6'rlitz, 50 years old, it is 40ft. hiith ; the diameter of the trunk 2ft. In Austria, at 

 Vienna, in the park ofLaxenhurg, 16 years planted, it is 14ft. high. At Briick on the Levtha, 45 

 years planted, it is 54 ft. high ; the diameter of the trunk 1 ft. 9 in., and of the head '28 ft. In Prus.-i.i, 

 at Berlin, in the Botanic Garden, 40 years planted, it is Iti ft. high ; the diameter of the trunk 

 8 in. and of the head t> ft. 



