Walnut is one of our finest and largest timber trees. Until about 1880 this wood was extremely popular, when oak gradually resumed its place as a cabinet wood. The color of this wood varies from light to dark brown. It is heavy, tough, and not liable to the attacks of insects. Its beautiful grain is open and requires filling. It is prized above mahogany for furniture by many. Walnut is becoming very scarce, and even for furniture and gun stocks, - its most important uses, - other woods are taking its place. It is most frequently finished with a filler matching the color of the wood, which produces a most rich effect. Handcraft walnut stain gives an excellent imitation of this wood when used on birch.

Plate CXXI. Walnut.

The use of walnut wood for gun stocks began in Europe, the demand increasing so rapidly that in England the price of six hundred pounds sterling is reported to have been paid for a single tree.

Circassian walnut differs from common black walnut, in that the color is not solid. Its beauty lies in the beautiful streaks of brown and black in the grain, just at the present time Circassian walnut furniture and woodwork are extremely popular.

It is being largely imitated by staining quartered gum wood. Gum wood is used for the structural parts of much Circassian furniture.