[ASEMBLY 



all times command the highest price. It is a tree of low growth, 

 but the shoots grow amazingly long, slender and strong in one 

 year from the stools, which renders it so very useful for basket- 

 making. It is a native of England in wet meadows. According 

 to Pursh, it grows in the United States, introduced from Europe, on 

 the banks of rivers, &c. ; branches straight, erect, wand-like, very 

 long and slender, round and polished ; when young, downy with 

 fine silky hairs. This species is readily distinguished from others 

 of the same class, from its long and narrow leaves, of a bluish 

 green on the upper, and by the white satiny under surface. There 

 is nothing peculiar in the cultivation of this species of willow, 

 but it is a vigorous p^ower, and will make shoots from eight to 

 ten feet in one season. 



There is a variety called the velvet osier, in which no external 

 difference is discernable, but the sprouts are said to be more 

 pliant, and they v/ill make shoots from ten to twelve feet, and 

 is held in high estimation for baskets. 



Salix Forbyana, or English Basket-Willow. — A native also 

 of England. The stem is erect, very long, slender, smooth 

 sprouts, very flexible and tough, of a greyish yellow hue, a 

 valuable species for the finer basket-work. When cut down, 

 plants make shoots from five to seven feet long in one season. 



Salix Rubra, Red or Green-leaved Willow. — A native of» 

 Britain. The branches are long, upright, smootli, greyish or pur- 

 plish, more frequently tawny, and very tough and pliant. The 

 leaves are very long and narrow, and agree in shape with those 

 of the S. Viminalis ; but has not, as that has, dense white 

 pubuscence beneath. When the plants of this species are cut 

 down, they send out shoots from five to eight feet in length 3 con- 

 sequently it is valuable for baskets, &c. 



Salix Triandra, or Three Stamened Willow. — This is also a 

 native of Britain, in wet grounds, where it forms an upright tree, 

 rising naturally, when not injured, to the height of 30 feet. This 

 is a valuable willow, and is extensively cultivated for the long 

 ;tough rods which it produces when cut down, and used for white 

 basket-work, producing sprouts from eight to nine feet long 



