1526 ARBORETUM AND FRUTICETUM. PART Ill. 
Propagation and Culture. It is justly remarked by Mr. Gorrie, that it adds 
much tothe value of the Salix alba, that its propagation and culture are of 
the most simple description; and that it will grow luxuriantly in most 
soils where other trees make but slow progress. According to Sang, it will 
thrive well in high and dry grounds; and, if planted in the grove manner, 
perhaps no other plantation, except larches, would give so quick a return 
for the trouble and expense of planting. “It is an excellent coppice-wocd, 
grows extremely. fast, and is very valuable. It is likewise an excellent nurse 
to other plants placed in humid situations, as in such it outgrows all other 
trees.” (Plant. Kal., p. 103.) A plantation made by Mr. Gorrie on the northern 
bank of the Carse of Gowrie, in Perthshire, is thus described by him in Decem- 
ber, 1825, fourteen years after it was planted: —* The soil is a dry ground, which 
effervesces freely with acids, and is, consequently, calcareous. Its surface is 
very steep, forming a slope of 43° ; and so poor, that it was without any sward 
or covering of grass. At the bottom ran a small rivulet, on a bed of the same 
kind of gravel. The banks and higher grounds were planted with oaks, 
larches, and Scotch pines; aad the sides of the rill with alders and Hunting- 
don willows. The undertaking was by my neighbours reckoned foolish, and 
I had to encounter no little obloquy for my presumption. The result, how- 
ever, has been favourable ; the plants on the high ground come away boldly, 
and in the hollow, which is only about 50 ft. above the level of the sea, the 
Huntingdon willow has made astonishing progress: at 4 ft. above the ground, 
several of the trees already measure 46 in. in circumference, and in height 
from 55 ft. to 60 ft.; giving fully lin. in diameter, and 4 ft. in altitude, for 
every year they have been in the soil. The plants were about 4 ft. in height, 
and 3 in.in diameter, at planting. Pruning has been regularly attended to ; 
all large aspiring branches having been removed, and the leading shoot and 
numerous small side shoots encouraged, for the purpose of producing suf- 
ficient foliage to elaborate the sap. One peculiar advantage in the culture of 
this valuable tree is, that, in planting it, rooted plants are not absolutely re- 
quisite. I have found shoots of from 6 ft. to 8 ft. long, and about 2in. in 
diameter, succeed better than rooted plants: they require to be put in from 
18 in. to 2 ft. deep in marshy soil, which should be drained: the numerous 
roots sent out in such soil afford abundant nourishment, and shoots are pro- 
duced the first year more vigorous than when the plants have been previously 
rooted.” (Gard. Mag., vol. i. p. 46.) On writing to Mr. Gorrie for an 
account of the present state of this plantation, 10 years having elapsed since 
the above was written, he informs us that, in October, 1836, he took a carpenter, 
and measured several of the same trees, of which the dimensions were taken 
in December, 1825, and found that they had increased very considerably in 
growth. “ One tree now (in 1836) measures in circumference, at 1 ft. from the 
ground, 714 in., two trees 68 in., and one tree 67 in. The average girt of those 
which grow near the rivulet is from 62 in. to 68 in. ; but those which stand fur- 
ther from the stream are smaller. The measurable solid wood, above 6 in. in 
diameter, is 30 solid feet on each of two of the largest trees; and 25 solid 
feet on each of two other trees. Two trees have lately been blown over by 
the wind, which stood beyond the reach of the stream; and these measured, 
the one 76 ft., and the other 80 ft., in length. On cutting up the wood of 
these trees into beards, it showed a beautifully waved bird’s-eye appearance, 
and it readily acquired a smooth glossy surface. These trees have now been 
planted 24 years ; and the largest one, which is that first mentioned above, as 
girting 7141n., measures, within a fraction, 1 in, in diameter for every year it 
has stood; and the accumulation of solid wood is yearly increasing in pro- 
portion to the extent of the circumference, The solid measurable wood in the 
largest tree averages at the rate of | ft. 3 in, for every year it has been planted. 
Upon the whole,” concludes Mr. Gorrie, than who no man is a more 
competent judge on this subject, “ I continue of opinion that few trees can 
come in competition with the Salix alba, for rapidity of growth, elegance of 
form, and, in short, value.” At Woburn Abbey, there are five trees of this 
