The rich nutmeg fragrance of black walnuts.

October 28

October 29, 2019

Goldenrods and asters have been altogether lingering some days. 

Walnuts commonly fall, and the black walnuts at Smith's are at least half fallen.  They are of the form and size of a small lemon and — what is singular — have a rich nutmeg fragrance. They are now turning dark-brown. 

Gray says it is rare in the Eastern but very common in the Western States. Is it indigenous in Massachusetts? [Emerson says it is, but rare.] If so, it is much the most remarkable nut that we have.

H. D. Thoreau, Journal, October 28, 1859

Walnuts commonly fall. See  October 14, 1859 ("At Baker's wall two of the walnut trees are bare but full of green nuts (in their green cases), which make a very pretty sight as they wave in the wind. So distinct you could count every one against the sky, for there is not a leaf on these trees, but other walnuts near by are yet full of leaves.") October 27, 1857 ("Now it is time to look out for walnuts"); October 28, 1852 ("The boys are gathering walnuts. Their leaves are a yellowish brown. "); November 20, 1858 ("When walnut husks have fairly opened, showing the white shells within, — the trees being either quite bare or with a few withered leaves at present, — a slight jar with the foot on the limbs causes them to rattle down in a perfect shower, and on bare, grass-grown pasture ground it is very easy picking them up.")

Black walnuts rare.  See October 27, 1856 ("Black walnut . . . were pretty common[in New Jersey] ");June 8, 1857 ("There are two good-sized black walnuts at Cyrus Smith's"); June 23, 1857 ("Pratt says he knows of a black walnut at Hunt's on Ponkawtasset. "); May 12, 1858 ("They use [chestnut] wood for coffins, instead of black walnut.");