XIX.] 
WALNUT. 
hi 
Italian Walnut wood; it is dealt with in the market 
under the same conditions. 
Burrs or excrescences, frequently measuring 2 to 3 
feet across by 12 to 15 inches in the thicker part, and 
weighing 5 to 6 cwt. each, are common to the Walnut 
trees of Italy and the Black Sea ; they are often prettily 
mottled or figured, and make rich and splendid veneers 
for the cabinet-maker; those of the best quality are con¬ 
sequently much prized, and have been known to realise 
^5° to £60 per ton weight. 
The wood of the American Black Walnut tree is 
whitish-brown in colour, moderately hard, straight and 
plain in the grain, splits freely, and is easy to work. It 
will not bear comparison with the quality of either the 
Italian or Black Sea Walnut wood. The trees are large 
enough to yield building scantlings, the logs as imported 
being usually about 15 to 30 inches square, imperfectly 
hewn, by 10 to 20 feet in length. Owing to the liability 
of the logs to split from the centre, the ends have 
generally a red colouring matter put over them before 
shipment, to protect them against atmospheric influences. 
This wood is sold at per foot cube. There is only 
about inch of sapwood on the Walnut trees above 
mentioned. 
The uses of Walnut wood are chiefly for furniture 
and pianoforte making. It is also much prized for 
gun-stocks; but there are many other ways of employing 
it profitably in place of mahogany and other furniture 
woods. 
