The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-07-29

length until they dropped to the ground b,
their own weight, when they took root
sending out young trees. These in turl
put forth branches which again took root
thus forming second circle of trees Tn,
lime tree was well known to the ancients
and was employed by them for the manu-
facture of papyrus. In the library at d i
emma is a work of Cicero, the great Roman
orator, written upon the inner bark of thii
tree During the middle ages, when tn,
Swiss and Flemings were struggling fol
liberty, it was their custom to plant linden
on the field of battle, and many of thesC
old trees still remain At Augsburg, Ger
many, are some very large and aged lindens
under whose shade innumer;ble feasts and
weddings have been celebrated. In early
times divine honors were paid to them as
emblems of Immortality. A great tree in
Wurtemburg covered four hundred feet
with its branches, which were supported by
numerous columns, set by kings and Others
of high degree A linden at Zurich forms
bower capable of holding FIVE hundred
/ persons. The name of Linnaeus, the re-
nowned Swedish bOtanist. was derived from
an ancient linden that grew near his house
One of the principal avenues in Berlin Is
shaded by lindens, whence its name, .sURter
den Linden. There is forest in Lithu-
ania which contains numbers Of hndens,
and the honey obtained from its flowers Is
the chief dependence of the inhabitants Of
that neighborhood Its especiaIlY delicate
and delicious, and sells for a much higher
price than ordinary honey. The wood Of
the linden has been much used for the
finest wood engraving, being soft, light and
smooth. The blocks used by the famous
engraver Holbein are supposed 20 have
been made of linden. la Sweden the
inner bark is made into coarse thread,
somewhat resembling fax, from which are
constructed fishing nets. The italian peas
ants often wear clothes made Of this mate
rial. Russian peasants take the fibre Of
young shoots for the upper part Of their
shoes, ard the outer bark for their soles
A kind Of mating Is also made from these
fbres, which Is much favored for packing
goods A pleasant tasting tea i made
from the dried flowers, and an infusion Of
them Is given in some parts Of France as
remedy for cold.
The very name Of the yew is Inseparably
associated with the early history Of Eng
land. Il recalls Cr,sssy aud Agincours, the
tales Of Robin Hood and his Merry Men.
the valiant areheFs with their seloth.yari
shafts, and iuausnerahlc victories gaincd
By their yalor and skill The early Eng
lish sovereigns would not permit the yew
20 be exported 50 any other country, ~
serving L for home use exclusively Hsnry
". compelled every Englishman reaaing
in Ireland 20 keep a bos in his house In
Switzerland any person who cut down
yew, except for the purpose q making a
bow, was heavily fined, and among the
Swiss mounfaineers il Is Called William
Tells tire, in memory Of tha; famous
legendary patriot The yeH hvss toAvcTy
great age. At Fountains Abbey, in York
shire, are still living Eve yess which wrre
fun gr0wn when the abbey was founded IN
Iig2. There i said 10 he vel authcnti.
cased evidence that enc yew aitsincd the
are of ssS0 years The tress grow to che
height IL some forty fecs, throwing out
spreading branches some thrcc or four feet
from the ground, and forming 4 dense
head. The leaves are dark gree,. sinc.ieh. +
shining and set very einsc together The
berries are bright rsd. somewhat resembling
small cherries The berries snd lwigs aTc
rery poisonous 70 cattle aud horses, and .
wholo hssylz have heen Destroyed by eating
them. In England the yew - thicay
planted is church yards, and a eaasecFated /
rev in early time. sold for pound while
Va ordinary tree was Worth bus fsteen
penec. The wood Is hard firm. ui.se-grsin- 4
a and very enduring It's color s yel- .
0wish brown, the sap-wocd beng white
The finencss q grain i due "a the thianess
Il the layers formed each ycaT. a. usany a.
wo handred and eighty having been eouat.
"a in pieee of weed twcnsy iaches in d.
lmeseF II i much admired as furniture
Eood--indced. some prefer il 70 mahogany
The white sap-wood can b. dyed 10 form
rery exact imitation Of ebony. rs dura-
iility has given rise % the saying that -
,est of yew viii ontlasl post Of iron. -
z i, Hillig, - fie LsEs5sr lForid