, FOREST TREES. 63 
As fuel, Hickory wood is more esteemed than any 
other in the market, either in America or Europe; 
_ and is made the standard of value with which other 
wood is compared. It produces a strong heat, and 
leaves a heavy, compact, and lasting coal. The dif- 
ference of the species in value for fuel is not great, 
though the Shellbark and Mockernut are considered 
the best, and Bitternut the poorest. For making 
hoops, the Hickory is better adapted than any other 
tree. 
The Hickories all ripen their nuts at the same time, 
and they receive the same treatment in propagation. 
When the nuts are gathered, they may be laid in 
heaps on a spot of dry ground, remote from the 
haunts of rats or mice, and covered with turf peeled 
from the soil around, adding three or four inches of 
earth above it. If the turf be wanting, a covering 
of straw may supply its place. The turf or straw will 
prevent the inconvenience caused by mixing earth 
with the nuts. In spring they may be planted as 
directed in the chapter on Propagation. As the 
Hickory does not transplant well, itis best, if possible, 
to plant where the trees are to remain, and in this 
case it is proper to plant two nuts where one is 
expected to grow. It is cheaper to destroy those that 
are superfluous, than to fill vacancies by transplant- 
ing. If, however, they are to be removed, it should 
be done when one year old, since the earlier they are 
established in their final locality the better trees they 
will become. Michaux recommends causing them to 
germinate in boxes filled with earth, and kept moist 
