Walnut Husks.

Practical Magazine 17, 1876

(Chemistry applied to the Arts, Manufactures, &c.
Dyeing, Calico Printing, Bleaching, Tanning, and Allied Subjects.)

Though as a general rule good use is made of the materials furnished by nature for purposes of art, some are thrown away as useless through want of thought. To this class belong the green outer husks of walnuts, which have long been known to possess colouring matter, but have not received the attention they deserve. They contain a yellow brown, remarkably fast dye, which is well suited for dyeing woollen and cotton materials, staining wood, &c., and would serve the same purposes as colouring substances on which large sums are expended. Wool requires no mordant, &c., when dyed with them, is very soft to handle, and not like that dyed with vitriol. The dyeing is as simple as it is cheap. The shades of colour obtained are from bright to dark brown, pleasing to the eye, and very fast. In many places the husks may be got for nothing. They may be simply kept dried till used, or packed moist in tubs, by which means their colouring power is further increased.

- Muster Zeitung.