Notes and Queries. 727 



ground, the number to the yard, and the distance between the lines. Is a 

 moist soil with plenty of leaf mould the best to lay poplar cuttings into to 

 ensure success ? In the October number, page 422, we are instructed to 

 plant cuttings of poplar about 18 inches in length taken from the last 

 year shoots, and leave them about 6 inches above the ground. Surely 

 this does not refer to planting cuttings in the nursery ? A much shorter 

 length than 18 inches would do as well. Some writers say, " Do not make 

 cuttings when they are wet with dew ; " will making them when wet, or 

 making them in fi-osty weather, injure them ? Is the month of February 

 too late to plant cuttings in the nursery ? I should also like to see a list 

 of plants that can be raised from cuttings. — David Barclay, Sorn Castle, 

 Mauchline, Ayrshire. 



[The month of February is not too late to put in cuttings in the 

 nursery. There is no necessity to make any cuttings when wet with dew. 

 It does no harm to them, but makes a dirty job for the operator. Most 

 hardy cuttings are made in frosty weather, because it is an operation 

 which can be carried on within doors, when workmen can do nothing in 

 the open nursery. Cuttings of such plants may be " taken off" in a frozen 

 state, but they ought always to be dipped in cold water till thawed, and 

 then be allowed to dry before being "made." No prudent nurseryman 

 waits to take off his cuttings till a frosty day comes, but has them ready 

 and laid-in, in a sheltered place, against that event. A "list of plants 

 that can be raised from cuttings " simply means a Botanical Dictionary. 

 Get Johnson's Gardener's Dictionary, 6s. 6d., Bell & Daldy, London. — Ed.] 



The Best "Willow for Cricket Bats. — Could any reader inform me 

 which is the best kind of willow for making cricket bats ? Such 

 willows sell very well, and are worthy of cultivation where the land will 

 grow them without the heart-rot. Please to name the different kinds 

 which can also be recommended for the same purpose. — J. W. S. 



Bitter Willow. — I beg leave to thank those gentlemen (Messrs. 

 Scaling & D.) who kindly answered my late enquiry in your columns (p. 

 509) respecting a fence of bitter willow. Perhaps it may interest your 

 readers to read another reply to the same query, obtained through the 

 kind co-operation of a contemporary. The following is the extract. 



" I suppose from what says, that he wants to make a fence of willow, 



hoping to get some profit from them. He can make a fence with them 

 very well, if the ground suits, but to do any good he must grow them so 

 that he can twine the branches into one another. In this way, and keep- 

 ing them properly cut and twined, he may get a good fence as the ground 

 is moist, and after a time have plenty of shoots to cut." — Subscriber. 



Books. — In reply to "A young Forester anxious to learn." I would 

 say get Grigor on Arboriculture, if you cannot afford^Brown. It is excel- 

 lent as far as it goes, but lacks the completeness of the latter work. The 

 price I believe is ten shillings.— Subscribee. 



