FRUIT OF THE WALNUT-TREE. 101 



able to allow the tree to stand as a fruit-bearer, 

 than to place it over a saw-pit. 



The uses of the fruit are — " 



To eat, certainly/' cried Harry. 



And to pickle/' added Amelia. 



From the nut, or kernel/' I continued, ^' a 

 fine and useful oil is prepared, which is service- 

 able in the arts, and sometimes for food." 



It would, I think, be better for the poor 

 trees," said Mrs. Heathfield, if they bore 

 no fruit at all ; for the process of castigation 

 which they undergo, to make them yield it, is 

 most severe, and, I should think, highly injuri- 

 ous to them." 



And yet/' I said, it is commonly believ- 

 ed by the country people, that this — h ashing , 

 as they call it, — bastinadoing of the branches, 

 improves the fruitfulness of the walnut. I am 



