USES OF THE WILLOW. 273 



tion than they have hitherto received in this country, for, 

 although the white willow ( Salix alba, L.) has for many 

 years been planted in Massachusetts for ornamental purposes, 

 its economic value has been entirely overlooked. It grows 

 rapidly here, reaching its largest size and developing its best 

 qualities. By the side of the highway, leading from Stock- 

 bridge to Great Barrington, in Berkshire County, there is a 

 willow which, at four feet from the ground, girts twenty-one 

 feet eight inches, and which, according to a popular tradition 

 of the neighborhood, was brought in the form of a riding- 

 switch by a person travelling from Connecticut, and planted 

 where it now stands, in the year 1807. According to New- 

 lands,* Salix fragilis, X., or as it was more commonly 

 known, Salix Russelliana, Smith (the Duke of Bedford's 

 willow), produces the most valuable timber of any of the 

 family, the common white willow coming next. I am not 

 aware that the Duke of Bedford's willow has ever been 

 introduced into this State ; but as the two species have the 

 same geographical range, and grow naturally under precisely 

 similar conditions, there is no doubt that it can be successfully 

 cultivated in any part of Massachusetts. Few trees grow 

 more rapidly than the willow, or adapt themselves to a greater 

 variety of soil. It has been general in this State to select 

 low, undrained situations, beside streams or stagnant ditches, 

 for planting this tree, but it is equally suited to high, exposed 

 places, and poor soil ; where, however, its growth will be 

 naturally less rapid. In Europe, the timber of the willow I 

 have referred to is used for many purposes. Newlands says 

 it is " sawn into boards for flooring, and into scantlings for 

 rafters ; and in the latter capacity, when kept dry and venti- 

 lated, it has been known to last one hundred years. But the 

 purposes more peculiarly its own are such as require light- 

 ness, pliancy, elasticity and toughness, all of which qualities 

 it possesses in an eminent degree. It also endures long in 

 water, and therefore is in request for paddle-wheel floats, and 

 for the shrouding of water-wheels. It is used in lining carts 

 for conveying stores or other heavy material, as it does not 

 splinter, and the same quality renders it fit for guard-posts 

 or fenders." Turners and tray-makers find many uses for 



* Carpenter's and Joiner's Assistant. James Newlands. London, 1867. 

 35 



