50 THE CANADIAX IIORTICULTUKIST, 



Although the above question only calls for remarks on nut bearing 

 trees, others have a proportionate value, and any remarks with regard 

 to the cultivation of these, will apply equally to the seed and cone 

 producing varieties as well. 



The Butternut has the most northern limit, which is found to begin 

 at the southern end of ]^ova Scotia, running north it passes about 

 midway througli ISTew Brunswick, crossing the St. Lawrence Eiver at 

 Quebec and extending some thirty miles to the north of the city of 

 Ottawa, and from thence strikes the southern end of the Georgian 

 Bay. This tree is the hardiest of our nut-bearing species, and the area 

 of its growtli is quite extensive, and for all practical purposes it could 

 by replanting be maintained for all time to come. Every autumn the 

 nuts are sold by the two bushel bag on the Ottav/a market, but I am 

 unable to quote the price, never having purchoppd any. The timber 

 of this tree loses the name of butternut when it is cut into boards and 

 scantling, and assumes that of grey walnut. The expert cabinet 

 maker, by a certain staining process, is enabled, after the wood is 

 worked up, to make it so resemble black walnut tliat it requires a 

 practical eye to tell the difference. 



With regard to the cultivation of this tree, I speak from practical 

 experience when I state it is one of the very easiest grown I know of. 

 If given anything like a square chance it will produce nuts after ten 

 years planting, and I believe a good saleable tree may be had of 18 

 inches through, at from twenty-five to thirty years from the nut. 



The seeds are not in great demand at present, though I feel sure 

 if they were advertised like other commercial products a market for 

 them could be created, botli for home, the Northwest and European 

 planting, and I make no doubt tlie United States alone would absorb 

 a large quantity, if nurserymen, private individuals and farmers knew 

 where they could be procured. 



Besides the value of this tree for timber and nuts, the feathery 

 palm-like spread of its graceful leaves and clean looking stem, makes 

 it a great object of beauty on the lawn, and for a wayside tree or a 

 pasture shelter there is nothing gives a much denser shade, though 

 probably if planted along our roadsides the ubiqutous boy might injure 

 it whilst robbing the trees of their autumn nuts. Those gathered 

 early in the season make a pickle fully equal to the walnuts of Eng- 

 lish manufacture for which Cross & Blackwell are so widely celebrated. 



