THE WALNUT. 



63 



and has large oblong-ovate leaves^ of a bright green colour 

 and very agreeable odour ; they are sometimes used in dye- 

 ing. Walnut-trees are pretty widely dijffused^ not only over 

 Europe^ but also in Asia. In Cashmere they are cultivated 

 to an enormous extent for the valuable oil they yields which 

 surpasses even linseed in its drying qualities ; it is said that 

 in that country 12^000 ass-loads of this nut are annually 

 taken to the oil-mills. 



There are few nuts of more agreeable flavour than the 

 walnut^ consequently it is a great favourite at the dessert 

 table ; but very few are imported^ in consequence of their 

 ripening well in this country^ and they will not bear a long 

 voyage without being kiln-dried^ a process which certainly 

 spoils them ; they are however grown in most parts of Eng- 

 land as timber-trees, and it is to be regretted that they are 

 not much more cultivated^ as they are very valuable^ if it 

 were only on account of their very ornamental timber. The 

 Germans are aware of the value of the walnut-tree^ and 

 cultivate it assiduously. We receive about 30^000 bushels, 

 the principal portion of which is imported into London 

 from Germany; a few also come from France and Italy. 

 Erom America we receive the Hickory and Peccan nuts, 

 which also belong to the walnut tribe [JuglandacecB). 



