, 
Pm 
DECIDUOUS TREES. 127 
fur that purpose. Seeds ripen late in summer or early 
autumn ; should be sown immediately after being gathered. 
The seedling produces many small fibrous roots, and is 
not difficult to transplant. 
Tua Americana (American Linden, Basswood ).— 
Leaves nearly heart-shape, large, thick, deep green on 
both sides ; flowers yellowish ; fruit a small, round, woody 
nut, with long peduncle; bark on young trees smooth, of 
alight green or gray color, becoming rough and deeply 
furrowed on old trees; wood white, soft, and very light 
when seasoned. <A very large tree, common in all the 
Northern States and as far south as the mountains of 
Georgia. The inner bark of this species is much used by 
nurserymen for tying in buds, grafts, etc., and is com- 
monly called Bass. The imported Bass mats are made 
from a species of this genus. To prepare the bark for 
use, it is stripped from the trees in spring, about the 
time the leaves begin to expand, when it comes off very 
readily; it is then put into water—a running stream is 
best—and allowed to remain there until it will separate 
into thin layers; two to four weeks will usually suffice for 
this purpose ; it should then be taken out, stripped of the 
outside bark, and laid up in a dry place until wanted for 
use. Bass strings are excellent for tying up vines, rasp- 
berry plants, etc. The bark of all the different species 
may be prepared in the same manner. 
Another valuable-property of the Basswood is its very 
sweet, honey-bearing flowers. Those persons who keep 
the honey-bee for pleasure or profit should certainly plant 
the Basswood plentifully within reach of their bees, for 
