PRACTICAL ARBORICULTURE 129 



HEIGHT OF TREES. 



The trees of the Northwest Pacific coast average 300 feet in height. Those 

 of the mixed forests of our Middle States were originally 150 to 200 feet high, 

 but those now remaining will not average much more than 80 feet, the yellow 

 pine of the south, 125 feet, while in the general wood lots of Massachusetts the 

 height is but thirty feet. The white pine of the North was 150 feet and up- 

 wards, but now is measured by the remaining stumps. There is no reason why 

 the height of trees in New England and the North may not be as great as in 

 other portions of the country, if the proper kind are planted and intelligently 

 managed. 



USES OF BLACK WALNUT. 



The pioneers of the Middle States valued the walnut for what they could 

 make with it fence rails. With the advent of saw mills, furniture factories and 

 improved machinery, the walnut became the principal wood for chairs, household 

 furniture and office finishing. 



The quality of the wood makes it specially suited for carving. No other 

 American wood equals the walnut for this purpose. 



At the present time a very small quantity of walnut is used in the United 

 States. Its scarcity and high price, combined with the fact that quartered oak is, 

 for the time being, the fashionable wood in the United States, cause almost the 

 entire output now to go to Europe where it is still appreciated, the standard for 

 fine lumber being higher than here. 



There have been a limited number of railway ties made from walnut, which 

 have given some satisfaction, but the wood is of far too great value to be used 

 for this purpose. 



WALNUT FOR SEED. 



The germ of the walnut is destroyed by drying, hence they should be kept 

 moist, although not in water, until ready for planting. 



The outer hull or husk, which is removed when the nuts are gathered for 

 eating, should be left on when intended for seed, as it serves a double purpose, 

 not only keeping the kernel moist and fresh, but when the young plant begins 

 growth it provides nourishment until the root has obtained a hold upon the earth 

 and is capable of gathering food. 



Every portion of the hard shell and the husk is absorbed by the young plant 

 as they decay quickly. 



It is imperative that nuts which are intended for seed should be gathered 

 soon after the frost ripens them and loosens their hold upon the trees, and they fall 

 to the earth. 



They should be stored in piles, preferably covered to prevent drying, or 

 packed at once in barrels for immediate shipment. 



When the nuts are gathered for eating the husks are removed and nuts spread 

 out to dry, as the fresh live kernel is not desirable for eating. 



