CHAP. CIII. SALICA CEE. SA‘LIX. 1465 
be inserted in the soil; the cutting being placed perpendicularly, and the 
soil pressed firmly to it, more especially at its lower extremity. The reason 
why the lower end of the cutting is cut directly across, and not sloping like 
the upper end, is, that it may form an equal callosity all round it, and, con- 
sequently, throw out an equal number of roots from that callosity on every 
side. The reason why the cutting is placed upright is, that the roots may be 
principally formed at its lower extremity; because that makes a handsomer 
and more symmetrical plant than when the roots are protruded partly from 
the lower end, and partly from the side. It is found from experience, that, 
when a cutting is put in ina sloping direction, roots are protruded nearly 
equally through all that part that is buried in the ground, unless the soil has 
been more closely pressed against one part than another; in which case 
the roots will there be protruded in greater abundance; and, if the soil has 
not been pressed to the lower extremity, it will probably produce no roots 
at all there, but rot. The upper extremity of the cutting is cut in a sloping 
direction, merely to throw off the rain. When willows are to be planted 
where they are finally to remain, cuttings may be made of the two-years-old 
wood, about 2 ft. long, and cut in a sloping direction at both ends. The 
advantages of choosing the two-years-old wood is, that the plants produced 
are more vigorous, which is not always desirable in plants that are to be trans-, 
planted, on account of their greater bulk, and the consequent expense of 
their removal. The cuttings of the two-years-old wood should be inserted 
in the ground, either by means of an iron-pointed dibber, or merely by being 
pushed in, at least 10 in. in length, and made firm by treading, They should 
be inserted in a slanting direction; in consequence of which, and also of 
being made firm during the whole length of the part buried in the soil, 
roots are protruded not only at the lower end, but throughout the whole 
length of the part which is in the ground. This mode of making cuttings, 
and of inserting them, is more particularly necessary when a plantation of 
willows is made in a grassy surface on the banks of rivers or streams. Cut- 
tings of the smaller kinds of willows, and especially of those kinds which are 
somewhat difficult to strike, should be planted in a sandy soil, in a shady 
situation, and kept moist. The few that are extremely difficult to strike 
should have their cuttings formed of the growing wood with the leaves on; 
and, after being planted in sand, they should be covered with a hand-glass. 
The best season for putting in cuttings of the winter’s wood is the autumn, 
in consequence of which the buds swell during the winter, and are ready to 
grow with vigour in the spring; but in wet soil, and in climates_where they 
are liable to be loosened by the frost in the winter season, cuttings planted in 
autumn ought to be made firm a second time in the spring. 
The principal willow which propagates itself by seeds in Europe is the S. 
caprea, and its very numerous allied kinds. The seeds are small and black, and 
enveloped in a tuft of cottony matter. They are ripe in May, or early in 
June; and they are speedily dispersed by the wind. If they fall in soil 
moist and shaded from the sun, or if a heavy shower of rain happen soon 
afterwards, they will spring up in three weeks, and produce plants 3in. or 
4in. high before the end of the season. In France, Bose informs us, this 
kind of willow is sometimes raised from seed, in the government nurseries, 
for transplantation into the national forests; and all that it requires is, to be 
sown on an even surface, well watered, and very slightly covered with loose 
litter. We are not aware of the willow having ever been grafted, though we 
think very curious and beautiful plants might be formed by grafting the 
trailing sorts standard high, or by grafting a number of sorts on one tree. 
In some parts of England, seedling willows are collected in the indigenous 
woods by the country people, by whom they are sold to the local nurserymen, 
who grow them for one or two years, after which they are ready for planting 
in coppice-woods. 
Culture. The first point to be attended to in the culture of any species \ 
of willow, no matter for what purpose, is, to determine whether the male or the 
