the contrast in the Willow beils will be still greater than on jtajier. Little explanation 

 is necessary on this point. The rols given by a stool like tig. 4 hnve to draw all their 

 nonrishnient throngli the stem, and will, as a conseiiueiice, be weak in contrast with 

 those given by a stool like fig. 9. Where the whole stool, to the very top, is in the 

 ijround, roots are emitted from every point, and the stools swell accordingly ; and when 

 growth commences in spring, slioots will be thrown up all around the stool, from the 

 under side oi the lieaded down branches. These shoots sjtringing out of the soil, as 

 soon as fairly growing, also emit roots in every direction, from the point of junction 

 with the previous year's wood. It will be clearly seen, under circumstances such as 

 these — a stool from which roots ramify in every direction, witli the young rods rooting 

 into the soil as well — the rods must, as a consequence, be of superior growth to the 

 other system. From tlie system of cutting back, the stool spreads to a considerable 

 distance; three feet in diameter will soon be common in a good soil and under good 

 culture. I have seen them much wider. The rods having more distance, and deriving 

 the same nourishment from the parent stool, are not only long, but uniform in size. 

 If out on the other system, many weak shoots will be given, for want of room, air, 

 nourishment, &c. This system of cutting close to the ground must be adhered to at 

 all subsequent cuttings. It will be plainly seen, that under this mode the stools must 

 be planted at a considerable distance apart, — on no account should they be closer than 

 three feet each way ; three and a half feet will be a still better distance ; and on favor- 

 able soils, with the very strongest Willows, four feet each way will not be too much. 

 I am happy to be able to endorse all that Mr. Downing says of the Willow imported 

 by Dr. Grant. It is now twelve years since I became acquainted with that variety 

 and so superior to all other varieties of Osier was it found, that ten years since, a Wil 

 low plantation under my charge, planted with inferior varieties, I had cleared, prepared, 

 and planted exclusively with that The principal points of its excellence consist in its 

 very vigorous growth, annually giving rods of great length and uniform thickness ; but 

 the great quality of all, is its extreme toughness. Nurserymen in Europe use Willows 

 largely for sewing their bundles of trees. This variety, from its length, slightness (in 

 proportion to length), the facility with which it can be twisted, bent, sewed, or drawn, 

 like a piece of twine, without cracking in the least, recommends it before any variety I 

 have ever seen. I need not remark that basket-makers like this quality quite as well 

 as nurseiyraen. This is an old variety, though not generally grown in England. In one 

 or two places in Gloucestei-shire it is admirably grown, to the exclusion of all others. 

 I can not help regretting that this variety should have been given a new name on its 

 introduction here. It has no particular name where grown, but I conceive it would be 

 better to designate it the Gloucestershire Willow, or the Tockington, from the village 

 near which it is extensively grown. New names have had their bad effects on fruits in- 

 troduced into this country, and it will lead to as much confusion if applied to Willows. 



[We are greatly obliged to Mr. Saul for his excellent hints on the treatment of 

 Willows. People who suppose that any sort of cutting will do "well enough," will 

 find themselves as much mistaken as those who consider any sort of pruning good 

 enough for fruit trees. Willow-culture is said to offer ami)le remuneration in a suitable 

 soil, and not a few are at this time engaging in it. The cutting is a point of much 

 portance, and we trust what is here said concerning it, will command attention. — 



