WILD FRUITS OF NEBRASKA. 107 



when prepared with skill, that wherever they abound they are eag- 

 erly gathered, and dried for future use, or manufactured at once in- 

 to various kinds of jellies or sauce. A good article of wine is fre- 

 quently made from them. The stems are half woody, from five to 

 ten feet high; leaves pinnate; leaflets from seven to eleven, ob- 

 long, the lower often three parted; the flowers are small and white, 

 in compound clusters or cymes; fruit, black purple. It grows 

 abundantly all over eastern Nebraska. 



The Papaw. 



The Papaw, Asimina triloba, is one of the four North American 

 representatives of a large tropical family, which is generally aro- 

 matic. Over three hundred species grow in the two tropical hemi- 

 spheres. Its yellow fruit is from two to three inches long, is pulpy 

 with many flat seeds, fragrant, and ripe in October. The tree is 

 from ten to twenty feet high. The leaves are thin, obovate, lance- 

 olate, and pointed. The flowers are dull purple; the petals are 

 veiny, round-ovate, and the outer ones from three to four times as 

 long as the calyx. The flowers appear with the leaves and some- 

 times precede them. It is only found in the southeastern part of 

 the State, and though of no practical value, botanically it is of much 

 interest. 



Nuts. 



Though nuts are not always classed with fruits it seems proper 

 in this place to mention the few that abound in Nebraska. First in 

 the list is the nut of the noble Black Walnut (Juglans nigra). A 

 few years ago this tree was abundant over eastern Nebraska. So 

 valuable, however, is the wood, and so high the price it brings in 

 market, that in many places where great numbers formerly existed 

 it is becoming quite rare. Fortunately, this tree is so hardy and is 

 so easily grown from the seed, that great numbers are started in 

 the artificial groves that are planted all over the settled portions of 

 the State. The nuts are almost as much of a favorite with adults 

 as with children ; and wherever the trees remain they should be 

 carefully preserved to supply the means for future groves, and for 

 the intrinsic value of their fruit. 



In a few places along the Missouri the Shell-bark Hickory (Car- 

 ya alba) abounds. Though not in sufficient quantities to supply the 

 markets with hickory nuts, it is worthy of cultivation for its timber, 

 which is valuable for many purposes besides fuel. When once 



