212 FOREST TREES. 



puncture of a gall-fly, {Cecidomyia salicis-strobiloides^ O. S.) as in the 

 Rose and some other plants. I have opened many of these Willow 

 cones at different stages of growth, but have been unable to detect any 

 larvae or fly in any one. The cone seems to be formed by imbricated 

 leafy scales, growing round a central axis. 



There have been attempts made to introduce certain species of 

 Willow into cultivation as hedges for field enclosures, but hitherto the 

 experiment seems to have failed, for unless the young branches are kept 

 cut, the plant runs up and becomes too weak to form a trunk, stout and 

 strong enough to resist cattle, and besides the labour requisite to keep 

 down the yearly sprouts is very great. All the Willow and Poplar tribe 

 seem to have great attractions for insects of various kinds. 



There are 5.everal species of small Willows that are now cultivated 

 in Osier grounds for the manufacture of baskets for field work, and also 

 for ornamental and domestic purposes ; these coarse osier baskets are 

 taking the place of the Indian baskets that are woven by the Squaws, 

 and which formerly were in great request by the settlers. These Indian 

 baskets were made from the inner bark of the Oak, Basswood and Iron- 

 wood, and were cheap and useful ; the Indian women selling them for 

 flour, meat or vegetables in the way of trade, but now they look for 

 money for their wares, and the workmanship not being as strong and 

 good as it used to be, they find less sale for their basket work among 

 the farriers. 



A much stronger, and more durable kind oi Indian basket has 

 lately been manufactured by the Indians from the inner bark of the 

 Oak and Basswood. The men even help in making these heavier baskets, 

 which will last much longer and bear more work in the field and barn 

 than the lighter sort. 



This brings to a close the description of the more important of our 

 forest trees. It is to be hoped that the efforts which are being now 

 made to encourage the planting and cultivation of these valuable pro- 

 ducts of the country, will be successful ; and I hope before long that an 

 Arbor Day will be an established and recognized institution in every 

 Province of the Dominion. 



It is to be regretted that we have no Botannical garden in Canada, 

 where the productions of the country could be collected and preserved. 



Our forests, year by year, are disappearing. Our stately native 

 trees falling before the force of axe and fire ; in a few more years our 

 noble Pines will be utterly eradicated, and the names of many of our 

 loveliest wild flowers, and native flowering shrubs, will be their only 

 memorials to say that they once existed on the face of the earth. 



