4.23 
close to the band. These prices vary a little in different districts, and are only men- 
tioned here to give a general idea of the cost of osier-cutting where the crop is of 
average size. If the crop runs small, the price will be more per score bundles; if over 
the average size, a little less. When cut and tied, the rods should be cleared off the 
ground at once, and, if for peeling white, they must be placed standing on their butts 
in the water to the depth of 6 or 8 inches, firmly fixed in their position (so as not to be 
disturbed by the wind) until they begin to grow in the spring, and the bark becomes 
sufficiently loose to be removed, which may readily be ascertained by trying to strip 
them with the fingers. If the crop is to be peeled buff, by using boiling water to 
loosen the bark, or if intended to use green or be dtied as brown, they can be reared 
on the butts in any dry place until the sap has left them, and they are dry enough to 
put under cover; or stack and thatch down if more convenient. 
It may be necessary to explain what is meant by peeling buff, in contradistinction 
to peeling white. , It is now greatly the fashion to make baskets of willows peeled by 
steaming or boiling, instead of peeling by the ordinary course, as it has been found 
that the baskets of the boiled willow are much firmer, and wear considerably longer 
than when made of white rods; and in the process of boiling, the coloring matter 
contained in the bark stains the willow a buff color. ‘The extra durability of baskets 
made of the boiled willow over those made of willows peeled white, only requires to 
be more generally known to make white baskets things of the past, where wear and 
tear is required. 
Many will consider the willows too crowded by planting so closely as I have here 
recommended. It must, however, be borne in mind that no instructions are given 
here that have not been practically tested by myself, and compared with the results 
of other systems, both in weight and quality of crops, and in the ease and economy of 
working. : : 
It has been stated before that two essential qualities in a good basket willow were 
length of shoots, with the least thickness,also freedom from side branches, qualities 
which can best be obtained by close planting. 
All varieties of willows, however straight their tendency may be, if allowed toomuch 
room, will spread, thicken, and throw out side branches; this will easily be seen by 
examining any well-managed osier ground, where the outside rows will be found 
crooked, and of less value than the inner rows. Let any one examine a willow-holt, 
and it will be found that those rods are the best where the growth is the closest. It 
has been urged by what may be called the old school of planters, that if planted so 
closely in a few years the stools would touch each other. This would be the case if 
cut above the ground, and heads three parts rotten and useless, and as large as cab- 
bages, were allowed to accumulate. But this, to a great extent, is prevented by the 
method of cutting recommended. 
The system of close planting and cutting to the ground has been practiced in Bel- 
gium for many years, and so successful have the Belgium planters been that they now 
export largely, not only to Great Britain, but toAmerica.. The sorts they cultivate are 
inferior to many of ours, but the management of their grounds is better. All growers 
of willows will have observed that the first crop or two after planting always grow 
crooked and full of side-shoots; this is entirely due to wide planting. The first year 
the cutting or plant does not put out more than two or three side-shoots, and those, as 
a rule, rather small; they have thus ample room to follow their natural tendency ; 
light and air being procurable ail around them, they have not to seek it upwards. 
Willow-crops, like corn or root crops, are subject to many diseases, and it will ap- 
pear strange to those who have been accustomed to consider the ‘willow as a thing 
requiring no attention to be told that it is subject to as many diseases as a crop of 
turnips, and requires as much care to be grown successfully. The Aphis or smother- 
fly js a great pest to all the sweet-scented or soft-wooded willows, known to basket- 
makers under the term of soft sorts or osier, S. holosercia suffering more than any other 
variety ; hence the great uncertainty of obtaining a good crop from this willow, for 
as a productive yield seldom occurs above once in three years, it renders it the: most 
unremunerative sort of basket-willow grown, notwithstanding its good qualities and 
the great value of a good crop when obtained. Isolated cases of extraordinary crops 
of this variety have been made public, and the extreme risk being kept out of sight, 
has caused a sort of “ nine days’ wonder,” at the great profits of willow-growing. In- 
tending planters must not reckon upon realizing extreme profits. With proper care 
willow-growing will pay quite as well as any crop usually grown in this country, and 
land of little value for ordinary culture can be made remunerative by this means. 
The writer then furnishes an accurate account of the expenses of pre- 
paring the ground, price of cuttings, planting, weeding, rent, taxes, and 
cutting an acre of groundin England for three crops; but, as the prices 
of land, labor, and taxes differ so materially from those of this country, 
‘it would not afford much yaluable information to the planters here. 
