315 



Salix Russelliana, Smith. 



Iii connection with the " Bat- Willow " question the name of 

 * Salix Russelliana frequently crops up, and is a source of con- 

 siderable confusion. A correspondent of Kew complains that 

 whilst one person tells him that Salix Russelliana is an excellent 

 Willow for bat-making, another says that it is quite worthless. 

 The probable explanation of this is that "Russelliana" is a name 

 that has been given to two different Willows. Most commonly ii 

 has been applied to the "Crack Willow" (S. fragilis) ; in that 

 connection, therefore, it indicates the very inferior Willow for 

 bat-making. But the name has also been given to the hybrid 

 between Salix alba and S. fragilis which, as has already been 

 explained, is itself a variable plant, but is often of good, although 

 not the best, quality. The name " Russelliana " is now no longer 



6 



w 



interested in the Cricket Bat Willows would do well to discontinue 

 its use. 



Popular and Local Names. 



Another source of confusion arises from the use of local nanus. 

 So misleading are they, that they should be dispensed with 

 altogether in connection with the present question, since it is 

 hopeless now to find one popular name restricted to one particular 

 Willow. A name given to a particular species or variety may be 

 in general use in one district, but it may be given to quite a 

 different tree in another. In the course of consulting various 

 works in connection with the Cricket Bat Willows the curious 

 fact has been noticed that the terms "Huntingdon Willow" and 

 "Leicestershire Willow " have both been applied to Salix alba, to 

 Salix alba, var. caerulea, and to Salix fragilis. 



Propagation and Cultivation. 



It will have been gathered from what has been said that there 

 is at the present time a brisk demand for young trees or " sets " of 

 the true "Bat-willow." Enquiries are being continually addrt led 

 to Kew as to where they can be obtained, but we know of no one 

 at the present time who is able and willing to supply them in 

 quantity. It is of little use applying to the ordinary trade firms. 

 With the best will and the most honest intentions they may supply 

 the wrong tree, because, as has already been pointed out, it is not 

 Salix alba var. caerulea merely that is wanted. 



So far as our present knowledge takes us it is the erect-growing 

 form alone that can be relied on, and then possibly the female 

 plant only, and it is onlv safe to plant stock which has come 

 originally from the counties of Essex, Suffolk, or Herts. 



_ _ ft * t 



The 



Willo 



scis. xnese sets are Drau.vu.va uui » a «.x^~~ . - 



a broom-handle, with the minor branches and twigs removed ; they 

 are thus transformed into bare rods which when planted are 8 to 

 10 feet or even more in length. " Sets " of about this length 

 are preferred so that the young growths may be out of reach ot 

 cattle, &c, and the young trees away from the various dangers 



