BULLETIN 231] WALNUT CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA. 397 



times veined with black, often presenting rings which add greatly to 

 its value ; the bark is brown and deeply fissured. 



Noix a Bijoux. The Noix a Bijoux or Noix de Jauge is the fruit of 

 the " walnut tree having large fruit" {Juglans regia maxima). It is 

 a nearly square nut, having wrinkled shell, flattened at the sides, with 

 the line of suture of the valves slightly projecting; it is somewhat 

 pointed at the apex and depressed at the base, which permits it to 

 stand resting on the base. Its shell, thick, breakable, contains a kernel 

 of ordinary quality which never fills the cavity well. The dimensions 

 of the nut, in general, are 4 to 5 centimeters in length with equal width. 

 Its average dry weight is 15 grammes. 



This variety is curious in the exceptional dimensions of its fruit, 

 but from the culture point of view it is of slight importance. Its 

 fruits are generally distributed in clusters of two or three; they are 

 much sought by jewelers for making jewel boxes. The tree requires 

 a fresh and fertile soil; it grows rapidly and its wood is of inferior 

 quality to that of the Noyer Commune. 



Fertile. This variety was found by M. L. Jamin about 1838, on 

 the grounds of M. Louis Chatenay, nurseryman of Duoe-la-Fontaine 

 (Maine et Loire). 



In size it is medium or small, having roundish oval form, with soft, 

 well filled shell. The tree is rather vigorous and remarkable because 

 it bears the third year; unfortunately it blossoms early, often expos- 

 ing the crop to frosts. 



The Fertile nut comes sufficiently true from seed. 



Noix a Coque Tendre. The nut with tender shell, also called the 

 Noix a Mesange (titmouse) and the Noix de Mars, is small, elongated, 

 pointed, tapering at both ends. The shell is very delicate and breaks 

 with the least shock; birds, often by hundreds, feed upon the kernels, 

 whence its name Noix a Mesange. The shell is well filled and con- 

 tains a good and very oily kernel. The average weight of a dry nut 

 is 8 grammes and the weight of a hectolitre from 40 to 44 kilos. 



The early blossoming exposes it to spring frosts; it should be in a 

 sheltered place and well exposed to the sun. When the year is favor- 

 able it yields large crops. The tree is very large and vigorous ; it has 

 the fault of sending out a great many shoots before bearing. Its 

 bark is white and delicate and the wood often veined in black. The 

 nut is harvested early, a part being on sale fresh for the table. The 

 greater part is utilized for the manufacture of oil and for packing in 

 boxes for green kernel sale. 



Barthere. This variety was obtained in 1860 by a nurseryman, 

 Barthere. of Toulouse. The characteristics of this nut are its long, 



