164 HISTOIIY OF FRUITS. 



quite distinct. The male flower is a scaly catkin, re- 

 sembling the bullion in fringe ; it appears in autumn, and 

 waits for the expansion of the female blossom in the 

 spring, from whence the nut arises : this is very diminu- 

 tive, but of a fine carmine colour; therefore the pruner 

 should make himself acquainted with the wood that pro- 

 duces each blossom, and not destroy too many of the 

 male flowers that will fall from the tree after they have 

 discharged their pollen, to the benefit of the future fruit. 



Although this tree is amongst the last that ripens its 

 seed, it takes the lead of all our fruit-trees in its blossoms, 

 which generally appear about the middle of January ; the 

 bud is carefully secured from frost by scales, which open 

 but just sufficiently to let the red filaments escape to 

 catch the farina of the elegantly drooping catkins. 



To preserve filberts, they should be gathered quite 

 ripe, and laid for some days on the floor of a room, where 

 the sun can get in, to dry them effectually. 



Columella states, that if nuts be steeped in water and 

 honey before they are planted, they will grow more 

 speedily, and produce sweeter fruit. 



Filbert-trees are generally raised by suckers or layers 

 as in sowmg the nuts there is a great uncertainty of keep- 

 ing the fruit-true to its kind ; but we may conclude that 

 those raised from seed might be improved by grafting as. 

 well as the walnut. 



The produce of an acre planted with filberts has some- 

 times been sold for fifty pounds ; yet we know of but ono 

 place in this island where they are cultivated to any extent 

 for the market. 



The Byzantium nut (Corylus Colurna), although mucli 

 esteemed for its flavour and size, is but little cultivated 

 in this country, and very rarely seen in our markets. Thi 

 nut was brought from Constantinople, before Constantin 

 had given his name to that city ; and we are much incline- 



