300 HORTICULTUEAL MANUAL. 



has proven that the Persian walnut will cross with Juglans 

 nigra and also with the /. Gallfornica of the west coast. 

 In the near future we will probably have crosses with the 

 best European varieties that will combine the good quali- 

 ties of the two species. 



287. Propagation and Planting. — The black walnut 

 grows readily from the nuts if managed properly. In the 

 fall, spread out the nuts without removing the shucks 

 under trees and cover with four inches of leaves. Early 

 in spring plant very shallow, firming the earth by stepping 

 on each covered nut. If to be used for stocks for budding 

 or grafting, the nuts easiest to secure will answer the pur- 

 pose. But if planted for nut-growing, care should be 

 taken to hunt for the trees bearing the largest and best 

 nuts. In the prairie States groups or local areas of 

 walnut were found in the early days, with relatively thin 

 shell, that have been reproduced by many by planting the 

 nuts. But if scions of select varieties are procurable, it 

 is not diflBcult to insert them iinder the bark of thrifty 

 young stocks, as noted in section (284). 



It has also been found that scions of Juglans regia will 

 unite well with the wood of young thrifty stocks of our 

 native black walnut, and it increases the hardiness of the 

 former when grown in more trying climates remote from 

 the ocean. 



288. The Butternut. — The American butternut [Juglans 

 cinerea) is also a valuable lumber tree. The wood has been 

 used for palace-car finishing and other work requiring a 

 high polish, and the large trees are becoming scarce. The 

 nuts are variable in size, thickness of shell, and size and 

 ease of extraction of the meats. The quality of the select 

 varieties is preferred by many to that of the Persian 

 walnut, as it is tender, crisp, oily, and pleasantly flavored. 

 The drawback is that the rough, hard shells do not fit it 



