WILLOWS AND WILLOW CITLTUHK 



,S'(//('.r oijirtti, :ih\H>u'j;]i of but littlo consideration as an osier, may claim attention 

 in some other rospoots. It will grow vigorously in very wet situations, wliere other 

 AVilluws will not live, and its large, showy catkins, wliich it produces very early and 

 in the greatest abundance, furnish food for bees at a time wlicn it is most needed. In 

 Europe, where lioney is an important article of produce, it is greatly prized for tliit 

 purpose, and often makes the entire diireroncc between an abundant yield and an 

 entire failure, by saving the bees from starvation, coming as it does with the first 

 warm weather which calls the bees from their hives, and before any otlicr flowers 

 appear. lUit in tliis respect aiprca is about to be eclipsed by a new variety tliat by rare 

 good fortune was, in the course of l)r. (Grant's investigations, procured from England, 

 which proves to be a great acquisition, not only in tlie arts, but as an ornamental tree. 

 It is perfectly adapted to the climate of the United States, and is much more vigorous 

 and productive than any other variety known. Cuttings of the size of a pipe-stem, 

 six inches long, planted last April, made during the season shoots eleven feet long. 

 Its rods are ver}'^ slender, comparatively, and vary less in size "from butt to tip" than 

 any other with which I am acquainted. " In early spring, before other flowers appear, 

 excepting the Mar/noUa conspicua and Cydonia Jujwnica., this tree is a mass of daz- 

 zling bloom, its immense catkins exhibiting all the brightest hues of the rainbow." 

 The remarkable vigor of this Willow, together with its hardiness and beauty, consti- 

 tute it the best material for live fences that has yet been discovered, where the soil is 

 suited to its growth ; for example, on the deep, rich soil of the western prairies, and 

 on the bottoms where fences are liable to be swept off by freshets. It will 'thrive in 

 any soil that is deej) and rich, and for a garden enclosure I can not conceive any thing 

 more attractively beautiful than a hedge of this Willow. After the gloom of winter 

 has passed, it aflords the first cheerfully inviting scene of spring — its gorgeous flowers, 

 covered with bees, filling the air with the joyous murmuring of their music ; and its 

 dense, rich foliage, is the last to yield to the saddening influence of early winter. The 

 cultivation of this AVillow for hoops may perhaps be worth attention. It will yield 

 once in two years about 40,000 poles to the acre. One whose judgment is worthy of 

 all confidence, writing from England, says that " as an osier it is better than all other 

 varieties," and the experience of the past two years proves it of equal excellence here. 



The Willows, according to the system of Lixn.el's, belong to the class Dioecia ; 

 and when grown for ornament, male, or staminate plants, should be chosen, for those 

 only have beautiful catkins. But the beauty of Willow does not generally depend 

 chiefly upon its inflorescence ; it has a most attractive loveliness all its own, on which 

 I shall delight to dwell when I prepare for the Horticulturist an article on Salictums. 

 It is said by eminent botanists, and Dr. Walker among them, that the female of most 

 varieties is of more vigorous growth, larger size, and greater toughness than the male; 

 and consequently, when cultivated for economical purposes, the female should be 

 chosen. I have not found this opinion sustained by facts in this country, but rather 

 the contrary ; and the authority of Sir J. E. Smith supports the latter opinion 

 le stamens of Willow are too variable in number to admit of scientific classi 

 y them, and the protean appef.rances assumed by the plants durin.cy the 



