fittA AMERICANA. (American Imden—Maisioddd.) 



Leaves obliquely heart shaped, serrate deciduous stipules, deep green fifl 

 both sides, globrous or nearly so. Flowers cream colored, honey bearings 

 fragrant. 



This familliar tree is tarely called linn tr^e, lindj whitewood, but comtoon 

 ly basswood ; the last name is now obsolete in England, and is derived from 

 find alWdes to the use thtie of the inner bSrk in the manufaoturfe of mats 

 and cordage. Sark on the young ti'ees smooth, of light green or gray color, 

 becoming roiigh and de'Bply furfowSd on old trees. 



The wood is white, soft and very light when seasoned ; does not then split 

 teadily, and is much usfed in cabinet work ih making drawers, Slnd carriage 

 making Where wood requires to be bent or moulded into shape ; for which 

 lS,st purpose no other wood is so well adapted. It takes paint well and then 

 {Polishes highly. It is often tised for clapboards to houses, and also for inside 

 Vork, but in either ease it must be painted or oiled to insure durability. 

 When dry it burns freely and makes a good quick fire. 



The innei^ ba/k of this tree is much used by nurserymen fot' tying in buds; 

 and by gardcers for tying up vines, raspberries ftnd other plants ; and is called 

 bass. To prepare the bark fb'r usej it is stripped from the trees in the spring,- 

 about the time the leaves expand) when it comes off very readily; it ia then 

 put into water — a running stream is best; — and allowed to remain there until 

 it will separate into thin layers ; two or three #eeks will usually suffice foi" 

 this purpose ; it should then be taken ont, stripped of the outside bsirk, and 

 laid up in a dry place until wanted for use. 



The tree is a very rapid grower in rich land, making a large tree sometimes 

 80 feet high and three feet in diameter. Xt sends up sprouts from the stump 

 So as to pi'opagate itself w'hen cut downj but seldom from its roots. It is an 

 excellent neighbor to other trees, and vegetation is not much injured by its 

 toots. 



Another valuable property of the American basswo'od is its very sweet 

 honey-bearing flowers. Those persons who keep honey bees for pleasure of 

 profit, should plant this free plentifully within their reach, because there is 

 no flower of its size that yields better honey, or in greater abundance. Per- 

 sons Who keep bees in the neighborhood of basg-wood trees value the honey 

 gathered from them in preference to sill otherj not excepting the trhite 

 Clover. 



The foreign species possess no peduliar advantage Over the Amerifcftn in 

 their wood, leaves or rapidity of growth, and dre not as sweet flowered or so 

 hardy. The baaswood ought to be planted in all forests grown on rich^ dry' 

 6oil. 



HOSAOEiE. {Rose family.) 



This numei'ons family with regulat fl'owers, and a five sepaled calyx, uisited 

 •at the base — petals as many as the sepals, and inserted with the numerous 

 distinct stamens on the edge of the disk, that) lines the calyx tube, gives us 



