394 The Canadian Horticultur;st. 



THE AMERICAN LINDEN, OR, LIME TREE (Basswood). 



(Tilia Americana.) 



p a person were to order lime trees from some nurseryman 



he would certainly receive trees of the sour lemon (citrus 



medica), generally known as limes. Other nurserymen 



would send lindens (Tila Americana), or, perhaps some 



of the European varieties of lime, while others would 



return the query : " What kind of lime trees are 



wanted ? " 



This confusion of names is unfortunate, and should be rectified. However, 



the tree I wish to mention particularly just now, is that commonly known in 



Canada as the Basswood. There is no doubt the tree was given this name in 



Russia, where bast-mats are extensively made from the inner bark or fiber. 



In England, and some other countries, the basswood bark has long been 

 used for making ropes, not of the strongest quality, but which serves many useful 

 purposes. 



Basswood strings are peculiarly suited for tying up plants which need 

 stakes, or trellises, and for tying buds ; and I have handled tons of it for those 

 purposes. 



This bark is easily separated by a process of maceration, when it comes 

 apart in thin layers, which, when properly dried and cared for, can be kept in 

 good order for a long time. 



In Europe there are several varieties of the lime or linden, the chief 

 difference, however, being in the size and smoothness of the leaves. I have 

 seen many trees of the European varieties growing in America, but for symmet- 

 rical form and beauty of foliage, they do not compare favorably with our own 

 native linden. Its large, green, glossy leaves, and the fragrancy of its flowers, 

 which furnish nectar for the honey-bee, make it an elegant detached object, 

 when planted singly in open lawns or pleasure-grounds. It has also this advan- 

 tage, that it is hardier than any of the European varieties ; therefore I decry the 

 assumed wisdom of some importers who continue to recommend foreign trees, 

 which are in many respects inferior to those which we can easily have in 



abundance. 



This valuable tree will grow and thrive in almost any soil or situation, but 



in thin soils in dry seasons, the leaves drop early in autumn. 



Propagation. — In Germany the linden is propagated largely from layers 

 and cuttings, as well as from seed. Of the different methods in Canada I have 

 found that of raising from seed to be the more economical and satisfactory. 



The seeds should be sown soon after it ripens, or early in autumn, because 

 if allowed to dry for the winter and sown in spring they will not germinate until 



