122 PRACTICAL ARBORICULTURE 



century the trees had become so scarce that cabinet manufacturers, unable to 

 secure ample supplies, brought the white oak into prominence, together with 

 birch, maple and other woods, but oak was forced upon the public as the fash- 

 ionable wood because walnut had become practically exterminated. 



This very dark wood is easily wrought, takes on an exquisite polish, and 

 has been the most magnificent wood produced by North American trees. 



The most beautiful and highly valued trees are those having interlocked 

 waving and figuring grain, and where the branches fork, and where the roots 

 gradually merge into the trunk the figuring is most highly prized. 



Vast quantities of stumps have been collected from which the logs had 

 been marketed years before, these having become immensely valuable for 

 veneers. 



At times various trees grow in waves, the fibers becoming interlocked, 

 "cross-grained," etc. The farmer has no use for these, as they will not split 

 straight, not being fit for rails or even fire-wood; but the veneer manufacturer 

 sees in these "crotches" a very much greater value than in the straight- 

 grained or plain wood. 



These thin veneers, but a hundredth of an inch in thickness, being glued 

 upon some cheap, abundant lumber, make the finest furniture. 



Europeans connoisseurs place a much higher value upon the walnut than 

 do our American dealers, insomuch that almost the entire output of walnut 

 logs is shipped to Europe. The wood is among the very best for carving. It 

 does not warp, but holds its place perfectly. 



In old trees there is very little sap wood, but in young timber this is in 

 excess. It has been said that lumber made from young trees does not pos- 

 sess that dark rich color characteristic of old timber. This is probably the 

 case with trees less than twelve to fifteen inches thickness, but not with those 

 of somewhat larger size. 



The coloring matter is in the ascending sap, and as the cells are formed 

 they are stained with this dye which with age deepens or darkens. 



The husks surrounding the nuts contain quantities of this black dye. as 

 does also the bark. Both the butternut and walnut were formerly used lor 

 dyeing home-made clothes by American pioneers. 



The cultivation of the walnut is one of the easiest tasks with which the 

 farmer has to do. The nuts are all fertile, and grow spontaneously, if covered 

 with leaves or earth to prevent drying. 



The trees grow rapidly, and if in thickets, or shaded by other trees, they 

 are upright, with long trunks, which are usually quite straight. 



THE SHAPE OF TREES. 



All forest trees prolong their growth in the direction from which light is 

 received. 



In a moderately close forest the trees reach upward and thus form 

 straight, upright boles. On the contrary, in an open field the branches push 

 out in every direction because light reaches the foliage on all sides. 



Where a house or other obstacle cuts off the light, as on the outer edge 



