78 THE TREES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 



times used for dyeing woollens a dark brown, though 

 not equal for this purpose to that of Black Walnut. 

 It is also a domestic remedy for cases where a sure 

 but safe and gentle cathartic is needed. The kernel 

 of the Nut is more oily than in the Black Walnut^ 

 but is palatable. The young fruit is used for Pickles. 

 The sap of the tree is slightly saccharine, and sugar 

 has been made from it, but not equal to that from 

 the Maple. 



CHESTNUTS.— 1. Chestnut. (Castanea vesca, 

 Linn.) — This is an inhabitant of all the cooler parts 

 of the United States. With us i^ is chiefly confined 

 to the mountains from Ashe to Cherokee, and is 

 found but sparingly on hills in the Middle District 

 as low down as Guilford and Randolph. It finds its 

 proper soil and temperature on the sides of our high 

 mountains, where it probably acquires as large dimen- 

 sions as anywhere in the Union ; stocks being some- 

 times met with which, at 6 feet from the ground, 

 measure 15 to 16 feet in circumference. Its usual 

 height is from 50 to 70 feet, but is sometimes 90, 

 with a capacious and well formed top. The wood is 

 light, tolerably strong, elastic, and capable of resist- 

 ing the effects of atmospheric changes. Its dura- 

 bility gives it great value for fencing, and the rails, 

 which are split out straight and easily, are said to 

 last 50 years. For shingles it is superior to the Oaks, 

 but is liable to warp. It is sometimes used for 

 cooperage, but is too porous for anything but dry 



