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204 WISCONSIN AGEICULTURE. 



The Gymnosperms or plants having proper seed-vessels are ar- 

 ranged under three general heads. Under the first are placed 

 those having the corolla or flower-leaves consisting of more than 

 one petal, which is the case with the bass-wood, maples, locust, 

 cherry, and plum trees. 



The next division includes such as have the corolla of but one 

 petal, of which the Ash is our only arborescent example. 



The third division inclades such as have no petals; like the 

 Elm, Sycamore, Walnut, Oak, Birch, Willow, and Poplar. 



All plants are arranged in recent botanical Avorks into natural 

 groups called Orders or Families^ in which those species most re- 

 sembling each other in essential characters are brought together. 

 This method of classification is, on many accounts, far superior 

 to the artificial classes and orders of Linngeus, where the num- 

 ber, situation, &c., of the stamens in the flowers were alo^ie con- 

 sidered, and plants of the most opposite characters were brought 

 together into the same class. As it seems important that all 

 should understand this natural and convenient arrangement of 

 plants it has been adopted here. It will be found as convenient 

 for all purposes as any that could have been adopted, and at the 

 same time conforms, as near as can be, with the system of nature 

 herself. 



DIVISION I,— POLYPETALOUS. 



Order I. Tiliace.^. — The Linden Family. 



1. Tilia Americmia, of Linnceus. — Common Basswood. 



There is but one kind of Basswood found in Wisconsin. — It 

 is a very common tree in the thickly wooded parts of the State, 

 especially where the soil is a little moist and rich. Where the 

 basswood is found growing plentifully in the woods the farmer 

 need not hesitate to make his "location," for the tree is a sure 

 indication of a good soil. It shows a strong disposition to grow 

 in little groups of three or more together ; which may be account • 



