AMERICAN HONEY PLANTS 33 



and is mentioned by Richter in the bulletin on "Honey Plants of Califor- 

 nia," as an introduced species of value. Fig. 18 shows the trees in bloom, 

 and Fig. 19 a close view of the blossom and leaf. 



Fig. 19. Blossom and leaf of the basswood. 



The tree thrives on rich lands, and in the cooler regions of the coun- 

 try reaches a large size. The wood is soft and white and much in demand 

 for making sections, separators and other bee supplies requiring a soft 

 v/ood cut in thin sheets. For such purposes basswood has no superior. 

 The wood is also sought for use in the manufacture of furniture, packing 

 boxes, etc.; as well as for paper making. 



The blooming period is short, seldom yielding to exceed ten days or 

 two weeks, and often for a much shorter period. The honeyflows from 

 baswood are irregular and only to be depended upon about two or three 

 years out of every five. A heavy flow from this source occurs only occa- 

 sionally, but when it does come it is worth waiting for, for enormous yields 

 are sometimes secured. The honey is white in color, with rather a strong 

 flavor, but is usually regarded as high quality. Good basswood locations 

 are no longer plentiful, as the cutting of the forests over the entire coun- 

 try has resulted in a large reduction of this along with other trees. 



The European linden (Tilia europaea) has been planted in many places 

 and, according to Sladen, is the source of surplus honey at Charlottetown, 

 Prince Edward Island, 



