Rules for Willow Pla7iters. 215 



The building, so novel and attractive in itself, had the additional 

 advantage of a conspicuous location upon the Centennial grounds; and as 

 from its roof an admirable vievr of almost the whole enclosure could be 

 obtained, it was daily visited by thousands. 



This magnificent lumber exhibit, in matter and manner alike, was worthy 

 of Canada and the Canadians, — ^'Fairfax,'" in " Agricultural Gazetted 



Rules for Willow Planters. 



1st. Xevcr transplant a willow if a cutting can be used, for all willows 

 succeed better from cuttings than they do from rooted plants. 2nd. After 

 planting, keep them clean ; never allow weeds to choke or overpower them. 

 3rd. No Avillows do well in water-logged land, nor in peat bog, nor in dry 

 sandy soil. The best soil for an osier plantation is a strong loam, and the 

 most favourable position where they can be flooded at will and yet the land 

 be well drained. 4th. In England, willows may be planted at any time 

 from the middle of November to the end of March. 5th. If practicable, 

 break up the ground by a steam cultivator, which is cheaper than ordinary 

 trenching, and quite as good. This should be done early, to ensure the 

 ground being in good condition for planting, for if cuttings be stuck into 

 unbroken clods failure may be expected. Gth. In planting basket willows 

 secure, at whatever cost, the best sorts, and free from mixture, taking care 

 that the species is suited to the soil and adapted to the market ; it is false 

 economy to plant whatever comes convenient (a mixed crop is always of 

 small value), and a willow plantation in suitable soil will last from fifteen 

 to thirty years. 7th. When cuttings are planted with the view to grow 

 into timber trees, cut to the ground, at the end of the first season, all 

 crooked and defective shoots, for the first year's shoots seldom grow 

 straight enough to be allowed to stand for timber trees. 8th. Protect all 

 young plantations from ground game, for even the buds of bitter willow are 

 not proof against rabbits or hares. 9th. Never pollard a willow ; pollard 

 willows decay, and in that state harbour destructive insects ; better and 

 straighter poles are obtained by cutting to the ground. 10th. Willows 

 make good wind screens or nurse trees ; and the long-leaved sallow, or Salix 

 acuminata stand well on the sea-coasts or other exposed situations : some 

 of the varieties of this species make good poles for fencing or general farm 

 purposes, but they are not otherwise commercially valuable. ] 1th. After 

 ■cuttings are put into the ground let the latter be firmly trodden down 

 around them ; many cuttings die from this being only partially done. 12th. 

 Do not plant cuttings Avhen the bark is much chafed or broken ; on the 

 ■contrary, throw them aside. 13th. Do not plant little corners with basket 

 willows and expect such scraps to pay ; it would be just as reasonable to 

 plant a rood of ground with wheat and expect to make a profit out of it. If 

 «uch bits are to be planted, plant them for poles or timber ; in this form they 

 will pay well, but they can never pay to cultivate for basket willows. Uth. 



