E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Walnut Tree.
It is said that the walnut tree thrives best if the nuts are beaten off with sticks, and not gathered. Hence Fuller says, “Who, like a nut tree, must be manured by beating, or else would not bear fruit” (bk. ii. ch. 11). The saying is well known that—
