190 NUT GROWING 



have spoken for the black walnut, and the author 

 heartily joins this group. Some correspondents are 

 insistent upon beauty as a prime desideratum, while 

 others demand utility. In the black walnut we have 

 a combination of both characteristics. The typical 

 tree of the species has a majestic, free and bold up- 

 rightness which may very well stand for the Amen*- 

 can spirit. Early dropping of the foliage in autumn 

 is held to be an objection by some writers, but this 

 baring of the sturdy branches reveals a wealth of 

 f ruitfulness developed during the busy season of the 

 tree and now held aloft on display to serve as in- 

 spiring evidence of work well done. Those who ob- 

 ject to this feature of the tree may choose a variety 

 like the Stabler, with its attractive disposition of 

 limbs and beautiful foliage which persists later than 

 that of other black walnuts. Universality is a point 

 in favor of this tree which thrives from lower Can- 

 ada to the Gulf of Mexico and from the Atlantic to 

 the Pacific coasts. This probably means further 

 that it may be grown in almost all of the temperate 

 regions of the world a range quite as great as that 

 of the Persian walnut. If the Old World has given 

 humanity one tree in particular that is wonderful 

 for a combination of looks and usefulness the time 

 has come for the New World to make graceful recip- 

 rocation. We may do it with the black walnut and 

 at the same time leave no doubt as to which country 

 has made such a contribution to man's welfare. 



The author speaks for the black walnut as our 

 national tree at the risk of displeasing advocates of 



