420 
_ Statements of imports into the United States of willow or willow ware 
during the ten years ending June 30, 1873. 
Willow or osier 
wares, bas- 
=: - Willow or osier 
: Willow or wil- 5 ’ kets, and all 
Fiscal years ended June 30. loweee, prepared for mia eaten 
; use. : 
tures of like 
material. 
lustig Ameena eo scet Sane SSORSI6)) |). 3. 22 e See ee eee ee, 
TUSYR Stal 5 be a A aE ea ae, elt arses 01319) (613 ay el ee seer serie wu 
ISOs sees BeBe Aen Bec Ieee eseide 65 Slee $88, 803 $28, 028 
EG 4d SSSR SSE SBE OoS BoL eRe eh AMR erios = aceHas 225, 660 57, 907 
ST eee ee eee cc on)s anche ece| cote te seeeeeee. 202, 408 39, 078 
HBOS see aes eee rpenen ee Sh er See | tee ete eee « 202, 957 36, 302 
eo a eae ee a Oe ars) erent <5) See 178, 689 Syrian! 
WSF ARS ee ee gre es Ieee Re 5 co See 204, 409 50,715 
Pe ee ee dea ee ete: es ou acs Seeeeeneee 205, 573 39, 935 
Te apes GH CE Ee Ae SEE aE Ena e | See SAS cece alae 265, 145 48, 884 
It is very certain that there has not been an importance attached to 
raising the willow in this country, which has induced a systematic and 
careful cultivation of it; and when it is grown it is without that care 
which is necessary to improve its quality and quantity. 
_ The author of the papers whose work we propose to review and from 
which to quote largely, treats of the mode of cultivation, the varying 
species, and the uses to which the willow is applied. He says: 
There is a very widely spread, but erroneous opinion, that the willows will only 
grow in wet, boggy ground; and that, as an article of produce, they are not worth the 
attention of the cultivator. With ordinary care a willow-crop will pay the grower 
as well as any crop on the farm, and with this advantage, that land comparatively 
valueless for root or grain crops can be used for an osier plantation. To grow willows 
successfully there must be an adaptation of the variety tothe soil ; if this is not attend- 
ed to, either the crop will be a failure or the produce will be deficient in the quali- 
ties most sought after. The following rule may serve to guide intending planters: 
All the varieties of the soft-wood class, known in the trade as osiers, will grow in a 
much damper soil than the hard-wooded, generally called fine-tops.. The present 
market-price of green willows'ranges from two to five pounds, and of peeled willows. 
from nine to twenty-five pounds per ton. This wide range in value shows the 
necessity of exercising care in selecting suitable kinds for planting, and of planting 
each variety in the soil best adapted to its requirements. The following properties 
must be sought after for willows intended to be used in the green or brown state = 
toughness, level surface, full top, wood soft, remain a light brown color when dry, and 
a good cropper. For willows intended to be used in the peeled state, the under-men- 
tioned qualities are necessary in order to realize the best market-price: toughness, 
elasticity, level and smooth surface when peeled, peel a good color far either white or 
buff, split well and make good scains, great length of shoot in proportion to thickness, 
small quantity of pith, hardy and not liable to diseases, a tendency to grow straight 
and clear of side-shoots, and a good cropper. 
As arule willows are tougher when grown on strong loam, inclining to clay, than on 
any other soil; but some of them, as the Salix helix, or rose willow, a vigorous plant 
on lighter soil or warp land, becomes a mere scrubby shrub when planted on clay. 
The varieties of willow are extremely numerous. Dr. Host, of Vienna, is said to have 
cultivated over 300 sorts; his grace the Duke of Bedford, at Woburn Abbey, about 250 
sorts; and the nursery at Basford contains over 300 varieties. 
In reference to thé preparation of an “ osier plantation,” the writer 
lays much stress upon “accurate planting,” as conducing to the subse- 
quent ease with which the plants can be cultivated and kept clear of 
weeds; and then says: 
One of the first things to be observed in forming an osier plantation is to drain it of 
all stagnant or surplus water, as no basket-willow will arrive at perfection in land 
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