196 



VERMONT AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



LINDEN FAMILY 



basswood (linden). Tilia Americana Linn. 



The basswood is a widely scattered tree in 

 Vermont, growing with the maples, oaks and 

 elms. Its leaves are five or six inches long 

 and nearly as wide, with a base more deeply 

 cordate on one side than the other. 



The flowers, which open in July, are 

 creamy-white, borne in clusters suspended 

 from a tongue-like leaf or bract. They are 

 very fragrant and so full of nectar that the 

 basswood is often called the bee-tree. The 

 fruit ripens in autumn, forming hard, brown 

 balls or nutlets the size of peas. These may 

 quite thickly sprinkle the ground near the 

 trees, and give rise to a plentiful crop of seed- 

 lings the following spring. The tough inner 

 bark (bast) gave origin to the common name. Basswood lumber is brown- 

 ish or nearly white, light but rather tough, and is extensively used for 

 drawers and similar cabinet work, panels, inside wood-work and for toys. 

 Owing to the fact that it is readily bent it is used also for the bodies and 

 dash boards of carriages and sleighs. 



The European linden ( T. Europea) is occasionally cultivated. It closely 

 resembles the American species. 



BASSWOOD 

 Leaf and fruit, X y 3 



DOGWOOD FAMILY 



SOUR GUM (TUPELO, PEPPEKIDGE). 



The sour gum is found occasion- 

 ally in swamps along the shores of 

 Lake Champlain and in the adjacent 

 river bottoms. It also occurs in the 

 south western part of the state and 

 has been found in the interior as far 

 north as Craftsbury (Bobbins). This 

 tree has a peculiar appearance with 

 horizontal branches and smooth or 

 glossy leaves, borne in beech-like 

 sprays. Its greenish yellow flowers 

 appear in June and are followed by 

 the dark-blue, egg-shaped fruits, one- 

 half of an inch long, with thin, acid 



Nyssa sylvatica Marsh. 



SOUR GUM 



flesh, ripening in October. 



Leaves and staminate flower clusters, X %. 



