CATALOGUE AND PRICE LIST. 
13' 
As an improvement, tree-planting, in fact all plantations, is not like erecting 
a building, or a fence, or other structure. These commence to deteriorate from 
the time they are put up. They attain their highest value when they are just 
finished. Not so, however, with trees. They have their smallest value, say 10. 
or 20 cents, when they are just out; but in one year they are worth more than 
twice that amount, often five times that; and their value more than doubles 
every year.— S. F. Bulletin. 
Black Walnut Trees.—A writer in the Oakland Tribune has the following 
to say regarding this useful and ornamental tree : 
“California imports from the East hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of 
black walnut lumber each year for cabinet-making and other purposes, which 
could just as well be raised in this State, and save to our people the cost of the 
lumber and the freight. That black walnut trees will grow and flourish here has 
been demonstrated in several instances, and they furnish not only a beautiful shade 
tree, but are also a source of revenue to the land owner. The first black walnut 
trees ever cultivated in this State were planted in Contra Costa county in 1844, 
by some naval officers who had gone ashore for a few days, trout-fisliing. They 
are still growing in front of the residence of Judge Elam Brown, near Lafayette, 
and average forty feet in height. There is another small grove at the confluence 
of the Georgiana slough with the Sacramento river. These were planted in 1 848, 
by a man by the name of Sharp. From these groves hundreds of trees have been 
set out elsewhere, and flourished, as almost every kind of tree, shrub or 
vegetable flourishes in California soil. What seems remarkable, is that the plant¬ 
ing of black walnut trees has not become a matter of universal business with 
California land owners. The timber is in such demand, and so valuable for 
manufacturing purposes, that the State should be dotted with these groves from 
Del Norte to San Diego. If the planter reaps no immediate benefit, he at least 
furnishes an inheritance to his children of priceless value. The rapidity of 
growth of trees in this State would soon make land planted to walnut trees of 
great value, prospectively at least; and a man who has a black walnut forest on* 
his farm, if he desires to sell, can do so at a greatly enhanced price, no matter 
how small the trees may be. His wealth is increasing while he sleeps, for each 
year adds greatly to the value, and that too, without care or expense after the 
first planting. Another advantage to the State would result in changing the arid 
climate of our great valleys ; for it is well known that forests create moisture, 
and rainfalls are far greater in wooded districts than on the treeless plains. 
Again, these forests would serve to break the force of the dry north winds, and 
change their parching dryness to humidity. Plant trees, if not for yourself, for 
those who come after you.” 
Walnut Wood. — Among the many uses to which the soil of California might 
be put more profitably than by exhausting it with a continuous production of 
wheat, is the planting of walnut trees. In the few instances in which this kind 
of arboriculture has been attempted, it has proved highly remunerative, as the 
nuts bring a good return for the investment, while the trees are growing to a. 
sufficient size to be valuable for timber. The walnut wood of California is highly 
prized by cabinet-makers and furniture manufacturers, as it has a grain and 
texture nearly resembling rosewood. The fact that we are importing walnut., 
