LINDENS. 113 
many of its brothers, nor is it as large a tree. The com- 
mon weeping linden of our nurseries is of this species. 
BUFFALO BERRY. 
This tree grows to a height of from twenty to thirty 
feet. It is propagated from the seed or by suckers. It 
is esteemed more for its fruit than for its lumber; it 
much resembles the buckthorn, and I doubt not would 
make an equally good hedge; its fruit is manufactured 
into pies, tarts, preserves, and a great many household 
delicacies. The trees are strictly diceceous, and both 
sexes must be planted in close proximity to obtain fruit. 
JAPAN SOPHORA. 
This tree is a native of Japan. It is best propagated 
by layers or from the seed. Little is known of this tree 
in this country excepting that it is hard, compact, and 
fit for ornamental work. It does not thrive in Illinois 
prairie-soil, but under favorable auspices is said to grow 
quite rapidly farther south. 
SASSAFRAS. 
This tree is surely the old woman’s friend. Who has 
not gone to some old village grandmother and been dosed 
with sassafras-tea, much to the edification of the old lady, 
and then swore like a pirate or looked helplessly down 
one’s nose and waited for further developments? It is 
found as a shrub or tree of some small size. The bark, 
of late, has much gone out of date as a medicine. 
Bedsteads made of sassafras-wood are never infested 
with vermin. The wood is not very strong, but fine, close- 
grained, and fit for cabinet-work. It is propagated by 
suckers or by seed. 
It is a handsome, ornamental tree, and I would recom- 
mend its culture around some of the beautiful homesteads 
scattered about the country that have a great many less 
ornamental trees than the sassafras, and whose appear- 
ance would be much benefited by it. 
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