60 Trees, Stars, and Birds 



tree is made up of many bast fibers, each fiber only 

 about one fifteen-hundredth of an inch in width. 



Bast fibers strengthen the stems of flax, hemp, and 

 many other plants. Bundles of them run through the 

 stem and leaves like wires fixed in place and prevent the 

 plants from breaking in the wind. Linen, twine, and 

 rope are made of strands of such fibers. Those of the 

 linden are used for making cords, fish nets, mats, and 

 coarse cloth. Before raffia came into use, the basswood 

 bark was used as a tying material in nurseries and green- 

 houses. Corn shocks were formerly tied with bass- 

 wood bark. The Russian peasants wear shoes made 

 entirely of linden bark, and you are perhaps wearing 

 shoes whose shanks are strengthened with basswood. 

 In Russia, bags, bridles, and various other useful articles 

 are made from linden bast. 



Other uses of the linden. Make a list of the uses 

 mentioned above, for linden trees and their products. 

 Add to the list all other uses you can find. See if your 

 father can add to your list. How many different uses 

 in all have been listed by your class? You may 

 not have discovered that the wood of the linden is used 

 in making excelsior, paper, and fuel. Charcoal made 

 from linden wood is used for tooth powder, medicinal 

 purposes, artists' crayons, and in the manufacture of 

 gunpowder. 



From the blossoms of the linden perfumery is made, 

 and from the seeds is extracted an oil similar to olive 

 oil. The author has found the seeds in the gizzard 

 of a wild swan, and they are probably eaten by other 

 birds. 



