Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1886-03-19
MlCHAUX'S NORTH AMERICAN
SYLVIA"
WALNUTS S.

MlCHAUX'S NORTH AMERICAN
SYLVIA"
: WALNUTS.
Of the various trees which compose
the vast forests of North America east of
the Mississippi, the walnut ranks after the
oak among the genera the species of which
are most multiplied. In this particular
the soil of the United States is more fav-
ored than that of Europe, in no part of
which is any species of this tree indigcn-
Gus. | have distinguished in the United
States ten species of walnut, and others
will probably be discovered in Louisiana
Travellers who visit these regions to eX-
plore their natural history should direct
their attention to this class of vegetables
so interesting from the useful appica-
tions of their wood in the arts. There is
room to hope, also. that species may be
discovered susceptible, like the Peanut
hickory, of rapid Improvement by the
aid of grating and attentive cultivation.
Some weight is given this consideration
from an observation which have often
heard repeated by my father that the
fruit of the common European walnut. in
its natural state is harder than that of
the American species just mentioned. and
inferior to it in size and quality. 70 the
members of agricultural societies in the
United States it belongs to extend their
experiments and observations on this
subject. after the examples of our anccS-
tors. to whom we are indebted for Il rich
variety of fruits. equally salutary and
beautiful.
The WalnutS of North America appear
to present characters 50 distinct as to re-
quire their division into two sections.
These characters consist principally in
the form of the barren amentS or catkins.
and in the greater or less rapiditv of vege-
tation in the trees. The first section is
composed of Walnuts with single aments
and includes two >pecieS-the Black wal
nut and the buttcrnut. to which is added
the European walnut. The second sec
ton consists of such as have compound
aments, and comprises eight specicS-the
Peanut hickory. Bitternut hickory.
Water Bitternut hickory. Mockcrnut
hickory. Shellbark hickory. Thick Shell
bark hickory, Pignut hickory and Nut
meg hickory. The first three species of
the second section bear some relation to
those of the first in their buds. which are
not covered with scales. For this reason
have placed them Immediately next. be-
ginning with the Peanut hickory.
which by its numerous leaflets. most
nearly resembles the Black walnut and
the Burternut. whose buds are also I'M
covered.
Throughout the United States the COM
mon name of hickory is given to the
species of the second section. This uni
ver>al appellation is due to certain prop
critics of their wood. which. however modi- .
fled. are possessed by them all in a great
er degree than by any other tree of Eu-
rope or America. These species exhibit
also a striking analogy in their form and /.
in their leaves, though they differ in the
number and size of their leaflets. 70
these sources of confusion must be added |
another in the fruit. which is often so
various in its appearance that it is easy |
to mistake the species to which it belongs. /
1t is not then on the most remarkable |
differences alone that our distinctions .
must be founded: recourse must also be .
had TO an examination of the shoots of
the preceding year, of the buds and of
the aments. Ii was only by constant OBJ
Seryation in the forests of the country
pursued through the course of Il summer
that | became able readily to distinguish
between mere varieties and species. NJ.
Delille,of the institute of Egypt,who was
at that time in the United States. took an
active part in my researches and reSorted
with me daily to the woods. Our inves-
LEGATIONS, flatter myself, have had the
result which may always be hoped for
from unwearied perseverance.
From the considerations alleged. and
from the striking resemblance
of their wood, have thought proper. in
describing the species of hickory to speak
but Summarily of their respective prop
critics, and to treat of this part of the
subject collectively and comparatively
more at large, in a separate article which
will complete their history.
Private John Burke, who has lust
been discharged from the SutfoIk re0i