PRACTICAL ARBORICULTURE 121 



THE BLACK WALNUT. 



(Juglans Nigra.) 



America's Famous Cabinet Wood. 



There are several members of the Juglandaccae family, all noted for the 

 rich, delicious meat contained in the nuts, which forms food enjoyed by man 

 as well as by the lower animals. 



The European walnut, higlans rcgia, is cultivated largely in several coun- 

 tries of Europe, and on a very large scale in California. This is the thin- 

 shelled walnut of commerce. 



The butternut, Julians cinerea, has an elongated oval-shaped nut, but 

 is usually consumed at home, few finding their way to the large markets. /. Sle- 

 boldiana is a variety native to Japan. 



The Circassia walnut produces very beautiful veneers used in cabinet con- 

 structions. 



There is a variety peculiar to the Pacific Coast although not very com- 

 mon, but the subject of our essay, the black walnut of America, is quite abun- 

 dant in many sections of the Central and Southern States. 



In rich lands and thick woods the walnut became an immense tree, often 

 four or five feet in thickness, with long body, reaching one hundred feet and 

 upwards in height. 



In soils of moderate fertility, and in open fields, or in fence corners, the 

 trees are widespreading, branching so low as to be of slight value for lumber. 



At the beginning of the nineteenth century walnut was so abundant, and 

 was so peculiarly adapted for fencing, thousands of miles of rail fences were 

 entirely constructed of this wood. Toward the middle of the century it had 

 become famous for cabinet uses. By the close of the third quarter of the 



