312 



not equally valuable. It has also been evident that whatever the 

 best " Bat Willow " might be it was not so much a species in its 

 entirety as a variety, or, perhaps, merely a local form. With a 

 view to settling the identity of the true kind the Copped Hall 

 estate near Epping, the property of Mr. Wythes, was visited in 

 company with Mr. Shaw. Here a large quantity of " Bat Willows 1 ' 

 are growing, and specimens were collected of the different 

 sorts whose respective values for bat-making were certified by 

 Mr. Shaw. They have since been botanically identified, and 

 for assistance in this work we have to express our obligations to 

 the Rev. E. P. Linton, M.A., the well-known authority on British 

 Willows. The expert knowledge of the cricket bat manufacturer 

 has, therefore, been joined to that of the botanist and it now 

 remains to put on record the conclusions at which we have 



arrived. 



The " Open-Bark" Willow. 



(Salix fragilix, L.) 



'p 



Willo 



bat-maker's standpoint are " open-bark " and M close-bark." There 

 is no difficulty or mystery about the " open-bark." It is the 

 Crack Willow— the Salix fragilis of Linnaeus— a common tree on 

 the banks of the Thames near Kew. Although a useful timber in 

 other respects, it is of very inferior merit for the making of cricket 

 ***Jl Jt is > in fa ct, used only for the manufacture of cheap bats for 

 children, such as are sold in toy shops rather than by the genuine 

 athletic outfitter. They are of a reddish colour. In connection 

 with the present question, the "open-bark" or Crack Willow 

 snonld only be known in order to be avoided. 



Botanical characters of Salix fragilis.— A tree 80 to 90 feet 

 high with spreading branches ; branches growing at 

 angles of 60° to 90°. Leaves coarsely serrate, usually 

 somewhat pubescent at first; pubeseence deciduous. 

 Stamens silky at extreme base only. Ovaries, in th« 

 commonest (probably unfertilised) state, almost subulate, 

 but ovate-lanceolate in the fertilised condition, gradually 

 narrowing to a distinct style ; their pedicels ultimately 

 three to four times the length of the nectarv. 



Willow 



Willow 



[8 



main xu V eieclea ^ Mr - Snaw a s the very best one for bat- 



apprfSf % a e , ? f markedly pyramidal habit ; it is female or 

 E e i T 7 ; an T d ? belongs to the bluish-leaved variety of the 

 vir ZJ! 7 ; ^ therefor e, a pyramidal form of Salix alba, 

 JX.25*? * ' T - he bark ^ less rough than in S. framlis, and 



the con 

 up and 



more 



wh^r, U • v • " u "^ "i uie tree, me wool is wmtc, ami 

 do£ w r? g Spht does not l >art 80 easily as the "open-bark " 

 tK^l^ft • P te 7 a g00d deaL This Wintering, or tearing, down 

 tne cleft is regarded as an evidence of good quality. 



