302 THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 



within two or three years of completion. Moreov«r, the beetles (" worm "), 

 thus finding in walnut a favourite feeding and breeding place, readily 

 advance on to the similar destruction of articles made of other kinds of 

 wood. Many authorities refer to the liability of " worm " attack on 

 walnut as being confined to the sap-wood, but although this is the more 

 liable, and the attack may begin there, it always spreads over both heart- 

 and sap-wood. Besides the architectural work, much of the exquisite 

 furniture of early date is undoubtedly lost to the present age on this 

 account. On the other hand, there are many fine specimens extant which 

 are still in good condition. At the South Kensington Museum may be 

 seen a pair of folding doors in walnut inlaid with holly and pear-wood 

 from the Palace of Federino, Duke of Urbino, at Gubbio, which date 

 from the early sixteenth century. Of the same period is a coffer of 

 walnut bearing the arms of the RospigUosi and the Altieri families in 

 Rome. Neither of these show signs of decay. 



British Walnut. — This varies very considerably in quality, texture, 

 and colour, according to the place and soil on which the trees grow ; 

 and a much larger proportion of finely-figured, good-coloured British 

 wood can be obtained than is usually recognised. A particularly finely- 

 figured tree of rich colour, which, I was informed, grew on Mr. Harcourt's 

 estate, was sold and sent to America a few years ago. The figure, quality, 

 and colour certainly equalled, if it did not surpass, anything which has 

 been found elsewhere in Europe. The tree, originally sold in England 

 for a moderate price, produced thousands of feet of veneer which is now 

 adorning some beautiful rooms in America, where it has realised a total 

 value of well over £1000 sterling. A pohshed panel made from it by the 

 American cabinet-maker is at The Lynch House, Totteridge, Hertford- 

 shire. 



Notwithstanding the disadvantages referred to above as to the use 

 of walnut in some kinds of work, it remains one of the most valuable 

 of timbers, and having in mind the world-wide demand and universal 

 depletion of supphes, the planting of walnut trees should have an import- 

 ant place in any future schemes of reafforestation. 



Caucasian Walnut. — Although in England Italian wahiut has 

 always held the reputation of being the finest in quality, colour, and 

 figure, yet by far the largest quantity of the' best wood in all respects 

 has come from the Caucasus. That imported from Circassia has been the 

 best, and especially that Circassian which actually came from the district 

 of Poti. This supply of late years has, been much reduced, and most of 

 the so-caUed " Circassian " walnut has in reality been Georgian, 

 Mingrelian, Imerethian, Gourian, and Abasian, aU being districts much 

 farther east and farther distant from the sea coast. The traders in the 



