No. 112.] 319 



The macliine for stripping is also quite simple, and consists of 

 a piece of tough, sound wood, about two inches wide and one inch 

 thick. In the top of two sides of a triangle is cut out, like the 

 letter V, opening about one inch at top, and coming close together 

 at the bottom. This machine may be firmly fixed in the end of 

 a strong wooden bench, something similar to that used by coopers 

 for shavung hoops. Another machine may be made of iron rods 

 half an inch in diameter, welded together, and forming a crotch 

 at top like the wood. The crotch need not be over one and a half 

 or two inches long. This insti'ument may be inserted into the 

 top of a stake or post set firmly in the ground. When the instru- 

 ment is secured and ready to be worked, a bundle of the willows, 

 washed from the mud, the peeler sits down opposite to it, takes the 

 willow rod or sprout in his right hand by the small end, and puts 

 a foot or more of the thick end into the machine, and draws the 

 willows towards him, by which operation the bark will at once 

 be stripped from the wood. In most cases, once drawing the 

 sprout through, the bark will all strip off; if not the sprout 

 should be turned and drawn through where the bark adhered, 

 and the peeling is completed. 



After stripping, the willows should be spread in a clean dry 

 I)lace, until the moisture has evaporated, to prevent mold or 

 mildew, and then put up in bundles, of from fifty to eighty 

 pounds each, carefully bound at several places with some of the 

 spruuts, to prevent breakage or damage in moving them. After 

 being peeled tlie rods will keep in good condition for a long time, 

 till a proper market is found for them. Sometimes it is neces- 

 sary to boil or steam them before strip])ing, which bleaches them 

 at the same time. They will now be fit fur market, and should 

 command from three to fi)ur cents per pound by the quantity. 



The followipg comprise nearly all the species of willow most 

 esteemed for basket-making, kc. : 



Salix Viminalis, or El ropean Grekn Osier — This variety of 

 all others, is best calculated for ba>ket-making. An acre of tliis 

 properly planted upon suitable soil \\ill yield at least two tons 

 weight i)er year. This kind of willow grown in this country, 

 and sent to market free from In-uises, breaks and mildew, will at 



