The national Republican., 1867-08-10
TREEs-THE USEFUL AND THE
ORNAMENTAL.


one blade of grass grow where none grew
before is benefactor. II, therefore, such |
an one is q benefactor, how should the man
who plants trees, whose fruit and shade
bless and sustain mankind, be regarded ?
We have been led to these reflections on
observing tree on our premises in the rear
Of our office-a tree whose branches shelter
us from the suns burning rays while, in
these hot and sultry days, we bend over
table, with pen in hand, to indite thoughts
for our readers. Thanks to the noble tree,
and more especially thanks to the thought
ful and painstaking and patient gentle
man who planted it years ago; for now,
through its thick foliage come the cooling
breezes which to us are so grateful in these
hours Of toll.
The tree Of which we now speak is the
Persian Walnut, or Madeira Nut, and
stands on the grounds of General PETER
FORCE, in the rear Of our sanctum. 1t twas
planted twenty-seven years ago, is now
nearly, if not quite, sixty feet high, and
some twenty inches in diameter. This
tree is hardy, and bears annually an abun-
dance of nuts of q most excellent quality.
In speaking of the nut itself, there is
none finer in quality nor is there any that
can be produced more readily, or in greater
abundance. In eight or ten years from
the time of planting the seed the tree be-
gins to bear and continues to produce for
q long number Of years. This fruit is very
delicious; it keeps we'll, and also yields q
rich oil, and, moreover, it is well adapted
to this region, and to all middle and south
crn latitudes of the United States.
This tree is q native Of Persia or the
north of China. 1t has, however, been
pretty extensively distributed, and will
grow as well in soils remote from its native
place as in the soil to which it was indi-
genous. In some countries, particularly
Cashmere, the walnut is carefully and ex-
tensively cultivated. These walnut trees
yield very prolifcally, and a single mature
tree will produce twenty-five thousand nuts
annually. In Cashmere at least one mil
lion one hundred and fifty thousand pounds
Of these nuts are consigned to the oil
presses every year. The kernels will yield
half their weight in oil, and the other half
consists of oil cake This latter is consid.
cred good food for cows in winter, and is
usually exchanged for other commodities.
The land best adapted to the growth and
development Of this tree is a loamy soil
rather dry than moist, and where are found
the calcareous rocks or stones. We un
derstand that the ground where the tree
belonging to General FORCE stands was
once occupied as a brick-kiln 1t does moi
flourish in wet bottom lands.
Having said thus much of the Persian
walnut, and Of the ease and rapidity b,
which it may be grown, we may be further
INDUCED in urging upon the attention Q
all who have q spot Of land the soil of whic
is adapted to produce this tree, the impo
tance Of planting the seed, SO that in fe
years they may have upon their own table
this excellent nut
A great many writers, both in prose an
in poetry, have descanted and moralize
about trees but we shall not now be b
trayed into any lengthy disquisition
essay about the subject. 1t appears to ,
that, first, two rules should be observed
planting trees. We want the useful on
the ornamental, and in every instanc
both can be combined. We are not quit
as much of utilitaran as the individu
who, in visiting gentleman's grount
where there were many things of taste
great profusion, could not see it, br
thought it was good patch of ground
raise potatoes still we are firm believe
that when the ornamental, the beautiful
and profitable may be combined it is vii
to avail ourselves Of the opportunity, al
make everything, as far as possible, ter
to this one practical end. More abo,
trees, and about the Vandalism whit
would indiscriminately destroy them, 500
The MARKETs.-By reference to O,