BASSWOOD. 3F 
layers. If the fruit is allowed to hang on the bushes until 
spring in this section many of the seeds may be injured. 
Uses.—The Buckthorn is used largely for hedges, for which 
purpose it is one of the hardiest, thriftiest and cleanest plants 
that can be used in this section. It bears pruning well, and 
hedges of it can be made very ornamental. As single specimens 
it is desirable for park planting and for screens. The seeds 
and innerbark possess medicinal qualities. 
TILIACEAE. LINDEN FAMILY. 
A family of about thirty-five geneva and 245 species, widely 
distributed in warm and tropical regions, a few in the temperate 
zone. 
Genus TILIA. 
A genus of about twelve species, only one of which is found 
in Minnesota. They are all handsome, valuable trees, with 
soft white wood. 5 
Leaves alternate, more or less heart-shaped, often soft and 
downy. Flowers with five spatulate, oblong petals, cream col- 
ored, in small cymes or clusters, hanging on an axillary, slender 
peduncle, which is attached to a long, slender and thin leaf-like 
bract. Fruit a small globular nut, one-celled, one or two 
seeded, attached to the leaf-like bract and ripening in autumn. 
The flowers are fragrant, and yield a large quantity of clear, 
white, delicately flavored honey. The European Linden (T. 
vulgaris) is mentioned here as being one of promising value 
for cultivation in this section. 
Tilia americana. Basswood. American Linden. White 
Wood. Beetree. 
Leaves large, alternate, nearly round or more or less heart- 
shaped, commonly oblique at the base, serrate abruptly pointed, 
green on both sides and glabrous, or nearly so. Flowers yel- 
lowish-white, conspicuous, fragrant, appearing in June. Tree 
large, often attaining a height of seventy feet and a diameter 
of three feet. The bark of the trunk is furrowed, and its light 
23 
