322 [Assembly 



the time of the Romans till the slight notices of the uses of the 

 willows given by Ray and afterwards by Evelin. The first sys- 

 tematic essay on the subject appears to have been written, by Dr. 

 Walker, about the latter end of the last century, though not pub- 

 lished till 1812. In this essay, twenty two species are described, 

 and an account given of their uses and mode of cultivation. 



Willows for basket-making and hoops were principally im- 

 ported into England from Holland and France until the year 

 1808, when in consequence of the war with France, plantations 

 ^ were formed in England, and many associations offered liberal 

 premiums on the best production of willow. 



The late Duke of Bedford, one of the best farmers of that day^ 

 gave much attention to the subject, which is vigorously prosecuted 

 by his son, the present Duke. 



The osier for basket-making in this country has been exten- 

 sively imported from France and Germany, cliiefly fron\ France, 

 and sells in New-York from five to seven cents per pourd. It is 

 getting to be extensively used in the manufacture of baskets, 

 children's cradles, and wagon-bodies, and as it grows finely in 

 this country, there is no reason why it should not be cultivated 

 sufficiently to supply the home demand. 



The uses of the willow are various. Almost all the species 

 being aquatics and of rapid growth, they are peculiarly fitted for 

 planting on the banks of rivers and streams for restraining their 

 ^encroachments, and retaining the soil in its place. It has one 

 jgreat advantage, as it grows readily by cuttings, and does not re- 

 quire the soil to be disturbed by the operation of planting. 



"As far back as I can remember," says Wm. R. Prince, in the 

 American Journal of Agriculture, " my father, the late William 

 Prince, warmly urged the extensive culture of this useful tree, 

 or rather group of trees ; and in the Short Treatise on Horticulture^ 

 written by myself, under his supervision in 1828, the best spe- 

 cies of the osier were described, and the facility of their culture 

 commented upon, and public attention particularly called to the 

 importance of growing an ample supply on our own soil." 



