THE WALNUTS 31 



scalded . Then they are pickled whole, in spiced vinegar, and 

 are a rare, delectable relish with meats for the winter table. 



A butternut tree, beside the road, or elsewhere, with 

 room to grow, has a short trunk, and a low, broad head, 

 with a downward droop to tlie horizontal limbs. The bark 

 is Kght brown, the limbs grayish green, the twigs and leaves 

 all ooze a clammy, waxy, aromatic sap, and are covered 

 with fine hairs of velvety abundance. 



Because it is low and rather wayward in growth, late to 

 leaf out in spring, and early to shed its leaves in summer, 

 the butternut is not a good street tree. It breaks easily 

 in the wind, and crippled trees are more common than 

 well-grown specimens. Insect and fungous enemies beset 

 the species, and take advantage of breaks to invade the 

 twigs through the chambered pith. Short-lived trees 

 they are, whose brown, satiny wood is used in cabinet 

 work, but is not plentiful. 



The Black Walnut 



J. nigra, Linn. 



The black walnut (see illustratioyis, pages SI, 70) is the 

 second species east of the Rocky Mountains, and the tree 

 chiefly depended upon, during the century just closed, by 

 the makers of furniture of the more expensive grades. 

 Black walnut wood is brown, with purplish tones in it, and 

 a silvery lustre, when polished. Its hardness and strength 

 commend it to the boat and ship builder. Gunstock 

 factories use quantities of this wood. In furniture and in- 

 terior woodwork, the curly walnut, found in the old stumps 

 of trees cut long before, is especially sought for veneering 

 panels. Old furniture, of designs that have passed out. 



