232 THE KITCHEN-GARDEN, [chap. vii. 
There are several kinds of walnut-trees 
cultivated for their fruit; all varieties of one 
species* and differing principally in the hard¬ 
ness or comparative softness of their shells. 
Walnut-trees are generally propagated by 
sowing the nuts; and if the young trees are 
planted in a light* sandy* and well-drained 
soil, they will grow rapidly* and bear at an 
early age. 
The custom which prevails among the 
country people in some parts of England 
and France* of beating a barren walnut-tree 
to make it bear* is efficacious* as the beating 
breaks off the points of the too luxuriant 
shoots* and makes them send out those short 
spurs which alone produce fruit; though the 
end would be attained with more certainty 
by pruning. A decoction of walnut-leaves 
and husks is said to be very efficacious in 
protecting plants against insects* if sprinkled 
on the leaves. 
The nut of the black walnut (Juglans 
nigra) is so hard as to be of little use for the 
table; and only two or three of those of the 
hickories can be considered as fruit. The 
best of these is the peccane nut (Carya olivae 
