Chap. 68.] THE willow. 409 



port for the vine. Cato 19 recommends that it should be 

 planted in a damp situation, the soil being first turned up with 

 a double mattock, and a distance of three feet left between the 

 young 50 layers ; he says, too, that the wild asparagus 51 from 

 which the cultivated species is produced, may be planted to- 

 gether with it, as they agree particularly well together. 



(37.) He says also that the willow may be planted in its 

 vicinity, than which there is no aquatic plant of more general 

 utility, although the poplar may be preferred for the training 

 of the vine, and the support of the Csecuban grape ; although, 

 too, the alder affords a more efficient protection by the hedges 

 it forms, and, planted in the very water, makes a rampart 

 along the banks in defence of the adjoining country against 

 the violence of the rivers when they overflow ; when cut down, 

 too, this last tree is useful for the innumerable suckers which 

 it throws out. 



CHAP. 68. THE WILLOW : EIGHT VAEIETIES OF IT. 



Of the willow, too, there are several varieties. One 52 of them 

 throws out its branches to a considerable height ; and these, 

 coupled together, serve as perches for the vine, while the bark 

 around the tree itself is used for withes. 53 Others, 54 again, 

 of a more pliable nature, supply a flexible twig, which is used 

 for the purpose of tying ; while others throw out osiers of 

 remarkable thinness, adapted by their suppleness and graceful 

 slenderness for the manufacture of wicker-work. 55 Others, 

 again, of a stouter make, are used for weaving panniers, 

 and many other utensils employed in agriculture ; while from 

 a whiter willow the bark is peeled off, and, being remarkably 

 tractable, admits of various utensils being made of it, which 

 require a softer and more pliable material than leather : this 

 last is also found particularly useful in the construction of 

 those articles of luxury, reclining chairs. The willow, when 



49 De Re Rust. c. 6. It was the donax that was thus employed; as it 

 is in France at the present day. 



50 Oeulis. See B. xvii. c. 33. 



51 See B. xix. c. 42. 



5:2 The white willow, Salix Alba of Linnaeus. 



53 The Salix vitellina more particularly is used in France for this 

 purpose. 



54 The Salix helix of Lirmseus. 



55 The Salix amygdaliua of Linnaeus. 



