1468 ARBORETUM AND FRUTICETUM. PART III. 
clean off: were a part of these small shoots allowed to remain, they might 
produce a crop of twigs fit for wickerwork, but by no means adapted for 
hoops. It is better to have a few good growths for that purpose, than a 
profusion of inferior ones. At no period should any one stool be allowed 
to bear many shoots, otherwise they will be small and worthless. Every 
manager of willows has it in his power to increase or diminish the number of 
shoots on the plants under his care; for, if he take off the shoots clean by the 
stem of the plant, in spring, the number of shoots will be proportionally 
diminished in the following season.” (Plant. Kal., p. 533.) Rods for hoops 
may be cut at the end of the second or third year’s growth, according to the 
size of the hoops wanted. In poor soil, or in plantations nearly worn out, 
the rods will require three years’ growth to enable them to attain their proper 
size. ‘ The proper season for cutting willow rods intended for hoops is 
any time during the month of November, immediately after the leaves have 
dropped. The cut should be made to within two or three buds of the place 
whence the shoot issued ; and it should be in a sloping direction, at the back 
of the uppermost bud left on the bottom of the shoot on the stool. In cut- 
ting hoop willows from the stools, the swell at the bottom of the shoot only 
should be left. This part is amply furnished with proper buds, to serve as 
outlets for the rising sap; so that it is unnecessary to leave so much at the 
bottom of those as is necessary in the case of basket willows, especially as fewer 
shoots are required in the present case.” (Jdid.,p.534.) | Weagree with Sang in 
being “ decidedly hostile to the barbarous” manner in which coopers frequently 
cut hoops from the stools. Under the idea of preventing the hoops from being 
split, they hack the rods off by cutting downwards with a hand-bill; “ and 
thus the under part left upon the stool is split into many pieces, to the 
manifest injury of the plant.” (Jdid.) The duration of willow plantations 
grown for the hoops is considerably longer than when’ they are grown for 
basket-making; because, in consequence of the stronger shoots, and of their 
remaining on the stools two or three years, greater strength is thrown into 
the root. 
The Culture of Willows for Basket-Rods. Almost all the species of willows 
may be grown for this purpose; but some are greatly preferable to others. 
The most vigorous-growing basket willow is, unquestionably, S. viminalis ; 
and it is also the sort most generally cultivated for that purpose. It has 
no disadvantage that we are aware of, except that in cold wet seasons, and 
in a moist soil, it does not always ripen the pomts of its shoots. S. rubra, 
S. Forbydna, S. decipiens, and S. stipularis are excellent species, of less 
vigorous growth than S. viminalis, which ripen the points of their shoots. 
perfectly in most seasons. The best of these is, perhaps, S. Forbydna. 8S. 
triandra is nearly as vigorous as S. viminalis. S. Hélix, S. vitellina, 
and §. purpurea are very desirable species, where small tough rods are re- 
quired. Various other sorts might be mentioned ; but these we consider as by 
far the most valuable. The soil for basket willows ought to be deep, well 
drained, and thoroughly prepared ; and the situation ought to be low, level, 
and naturally moist; and, if there is a command of water for irrigation, so 
much the better. “There are few soils,” Sang observes, “ that will not bear 
willows; yet some situations are very unfit for them. Dry and exposed 
grounds, peat moss, and land covered with standing water, or a quagmire, are 
not at all suitable. Hollows, the soil of which is composed of rich, soft, 
earthy particles, and which can be laid dry, are the most eligible for conver ting 
into osieries ; and, if such can be occasionally soaked with water during the 
dry months in summer, the situation may be considered perfect. Completely 
draining the site of a basket willow plantation is the first step towards its 
formation, and the foundation of its prosperity, and, consequently, of the 
profit to be derived from it. Drains, in any soil which is to be occupied 
with a permanent crop of trees, should be constructed upon principles of 
durability. If the drains be what are called rubble drains, the interstices will 
soon be filled up with the fibres of the willow roots, which will creep down 
