90 ON THE RECLAMATION OF WASTE LAND. 



The foregoing tables show there is a profit of £92, Os. 3d.; but 

 wlien we take into account the value of the ten acres for eight 

 years, as m its natural state, it is found the profit has to be 

 reduced £6, which leaves a net profit of £86, Os. 3d. 



ON THE GEOWTH AND CULTIVATION OF WILLOWS 



IN SCOTLAND. 



By William Scaling, Basford, Notts. 



[Premium — Medium Gold Medal.l 



WILLOW TIMBER-TEEES. 



There are only two species of willow that can be profitably grown 

 as timber trees, Salix alba or the white willow, and S. fragilis or 

 the brittle willow. In describing the above the same difficulty 

 exists as in describing the varieties of basket willow, viz., that 

 the species of willow is a subject of controversy. Under each of 

 the names above I include several that are usually called species, 

 but which thirty years' experience has convinced me are only 

 varieties ; but as I have been for some years collecting informa- 

 tion upon this subject, with the view of ultimately making it 

 known, it will perhaps be deemed sufficient if the varieties named 

 are so described as to be clearly recognised. 



The first and most important as a timber tree is the >S'. alba and 

 its varieties. This species is conspicuous by reason of the soft 

 silvery pubescence of its leaves. Other willows have the under 

 side of the leaves covered with down, but no other willow has 

 both the upper and under sides so distinguished. All the leaves 

 are not so covered, but the young leaves found at the ends of the 

 twigs or branches always are. This is characteristic. The leaves 

 are small, lance-shaped, and finely serrated on the edges. The 

 twigs of several of this group are beautifully coloured, from a 

 deep carmine, to a rich orange colour. The wood is light and 

 extremely tough, and for this purpose it is used by cricket bat 

 makers, and for cutting boards, and other purposes where extreme 

 toughness is required. The three best varieties of this class are 

 the following : — S. alba or Himtingclon. — these are identical ; S. 

 sanguinca, or the Ardennes willow ; >S'. coccinnea, the latest out, 

 and the most beautiful. My experience of this tree only extends 

 over a period of six years, and with the following results, in the 

 trial ground at Basford, Notts. At five years old it measures 24 

 feet high, and at 1 foot from the ground 23 inches in girth, in 

 rich alluvial soil, and near running water. 



The same variety of tree, in gravelly soil, at five years old, 

 measures 19 feet high, and at one foot from the ground 18 inches 

 in girth. 



