(i58) 



The walnuts and their relatives may be found in the 

 region to the north of the willow family. The narrow- 

 winged wing-nut, from China, is here. Of the walnuts 

 (Juglans), the English Walnut, native from southeastern 

 Europe to China, produces a most desirable nut, often 

 called Madeira nut; the Romans introduced it into Italy, 

 and from that place as a center its cultivation has spread 

 in all directions, both in the Old World and the New; 

 the nuts form a common article of food in southern Europe; 

 in Europe and northern India an oil, called walnut-oil, 

 used as a substitute for olive-oil, is obtained by sub- 

 jecting the seed-leaves to pressure. The black walnut 

 and the butternut are both wild elsewhere in the Garden, 

 and are also represented here by small trees. The pecan- 

 nut (Hicoria Pecan), wild in the southeastern United 

 States, is another nut of popular favor, as is also the 

 big shell-bark or king-nut, of the eastern United States. 

 The water hickory, of the southeastern United States, and 

 the bitter-nut or swamp hickory, of the eastern United 

 States, are both represented, while the common shag- 

 bark hickory and the pig-nut grow elsewhere in the grounds. 



The birch family is located along the driveway, west 

 and south of the stable, where birches, alders and horn- 

 beams are planted; the European hornbeam is represented. 

 The American hornbeam is common in Bronx Park, and 

 the hop-hornbeam is occasional. Those desiring to study 

 the birches (B etui a) will find several species available; 

 one of these is the yellow birch which grows wild in eastern 

 North America, and is one of our most valuable timber 

 trees; the wood, on account of its closeness of grain, strength 

 and hardness, is suitable for many purposes. Another is 

 the paper, or canoe, birch, of frequent occurrence in nor- 

 thern North America; the wood of this is preferred to that 

 of any other tree for the manufacture of spools, and is also 

 used in the manufacture of shoe-lasts and pegs; the Indians 

 also make use of its wood in the manufacture of sledges, 

 and from its tough bark they make canoes and baskets. 



