Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-10-26
BLACK WALNUT.
viii the Rage For It COntinue---
Plan for Planting.

| ~ NChauh hOb Oulg lOl mbAluk ueATl
all kinds OF furniture but for insid,
finishing for houses. The fashion 70,
this wood, started in the United
States, spread rapidly to other eoun.
tries, and it is now in active demand
in every portion of Europe. During
several years past fortunes have been
made in buying land covered by black
walnut timber or the "stumpaqe. y
cutting down the trees, and sendiDq
them to market. Some persons have
realized large sums by selling trees
that were standing on portions Of
their farms that had not been
cleared. In some instances old
stumps have been sold at very
high prices for veneering. Parties
have gone over every part Of the
country in search of black walnut
lumber. Thousands have regretted
that they cut down trees and used
them for fuel or fences, or simply
destroyed them as ''cumberers Of the
ground" They now see that they
could have realized fortune if they
had not been so hasty in their pro
ceediug. The fashion for black val
nut furniture and finishing, which
became prevalent suddenly, shows no
signs Of abating. The demand for
the wood becomes greater as the sup
ply becomes limited. 1t is now trans
ported hundreds of miles on wagons
and in railway cars. 1t is the favorite
of the maker and the buyer of furni-
ture. Most persons prefer it to ma
hogany, which for centuries was the
fashionable wood for decorative pur-
poses. That it contains several
desirable qualities is certain, but it is
equally certain that its qualities have
been greatly overrated.
The price of black walnut is so high.
and the supply Of it so small, that the
owners Of land have been exhorted to
engage in the culture of the trees to
meet the demands of the near and dis
tant future. Parties have figured out
how much can be made by planting a
given number of acres with these
trees, and giving them suitable care
and attention for a series of years.
The story Of some man in Wisconsin" 4"
who planted a piece Of land" with
these trees twenty-three years ago, and
recently sold his crop" for $27, 900,
has been told many times. The story
is not very accurately located, and
therefore it is difficult to procure evil
dence as to the truth or falsity of it.
Admitting that it is true, however, it
does not follow that others will be so
fortunate. There is no accounting for
tastes, and the origin of most fashions
is obscure. Fashions come and 20, and
in most respects they are as unreliable
as the wind. Black walnut was first
used as a cheap substitute for ma
hOgany. 1t soon became its success.
tul rival. 1t does not follow, howev.
er, that it will always remain so. In
deed, it is very likely that mahogany
may soon occupy the place it long
filed, and that it will not soon be dis
placed, 1t is also likely that woods
Of light color will become fashionable,
to the partial and complete exclusion
Of those that are dark. They had
their day." and perhaps may have it
again. 1t is likely that at no very dis
tant period improvements in stuff.
ing" prous woods may result in max
ing much material valuable that is
now regarded as entirely useless IN
the arts. In all probability various
metals, natural and artificial stone,
and even glass will be largely EN-
ployed in the place of wood for max
ing furniture.
Persons who have faith in the fu-
ture of the black walnut, and who be-
lieve the fashion for it will not change,
will be likely to plant trees and wait
for a liberal reward for themselves or
heirs. Land planted to black
walnut trees, may prove an
excellent Investment. 1t may rise in
value every year from the time the
nuts are placed in the soil. Enthnsi-
asts should bear in mind, however,
that there is a popular prejudice
against these trees on the ground that
they impOverish the soil where they
grow; that they Aert an injurious in
huence on most crops in the vicinity
of them, and that the land where they
made their growth is unproductive OF
certain crops after the trees are cut
a6ay. The trees require rich soil to
enable them to make a rapid growth,
and that of the Western States is
admirably adapted to them. Broken
land that can not be plowed
to advantage is generally well
suited to the production Of forest
trees. A space for the roots to
occupy can be prepared by tho use Of
the pick or spade, and if necessary,
some fertilizing material can be added
TO the soil. Almost all nut bearing
trees have very long top roots, and
provision may be made for their en-
argement by making a hole with ar
iron bar directly under where nut is
| to be planted. This hole can be filled
with forest leaves or we'll rotted stable
manure. The soil for some distance
can also be loosened by means OF al
iron bar or pick. By keeping tn,
ground covered with mulch no cult
walton will be required. AS the leaves
bark and branches of the black walnu
are very bitter, grazing animals are no
| likely TO interfere with them. 0l
many farms there are portions of Ian,
that are little use for the production
of cultivated crops.
At the last winter meeting of tn
Indiana Horticultural Society, tn
Secretary, MIR. w. H. Ragan, gave tn
following excellent recommendation
for planting black walnuts on leve
ground that was to be cultivated:
, Furrow the ground off esQh way a
for corn, except that the rows shoul
be seven feet apart. Take the nuts
g fresh from the tree, and plant two q
each crossing. They are to be covere
8 shallow, Just enough to hide them. s
much for planting. The next sprin
furrow the seven feet spaces intermC
diate between the rows, and plant wit