Page:Timber and Timber Trees, Native and Foreign.djvu/131

XIX.] 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 consequently much prized, and have been known to realise £50 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 ¾ 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.