DIVISION OF FORESTRY. 225 



from the lower half of these, because the tops would yield too weak material. The 

 best lenji^th for cuttings is about 12 inches; on compact moist soils a length of 10 inches 

 will suffice, while on dry sand and peat soils 14 to 16 inches may be taken, in order to 

 get the larger number of roots in the first season, the number of roots being to some 

 extent dependent on the length of the cutting under ground. Place cuttings in the 

 ground so that the tops are even with the stu-face, but on compact and caking soil, 

 which would liinder the buds from pushing tlurough, leave two or three buds above 

 groimd. After the shoot is started it is well to draw the earth up to cover the en- 

 tire cutting, as many dangers beset the top when left free — injuries in cutting, from 

 drying, and from insects. Take care to jjack the soil closely around the whole length 

 of the cutting. The practice of jjlacing the cuttings inclined is without rational foun- 

 dation. Cuttings for planting are best taken during winter, when vegetation rests, 

 and may be taken from tlu-ee, two, or even one year old wood, if of good size. The 

 distance at v*-liich osiers are planted varies. Two considerations must be kept in 

 vie\v, the possibility of cultivating and working between the rows^and the desira- 

 bility of shading the ground as closely as possible, which keep^ the soil moist and 

 free from weeds and, to some extent, from insects, A distance of 20 inches for the 

 rows and of 4 inches m the row answers these purposes. 



Cultivation. — In the first year this is best delayed until the middle of June, to 

 avoid disturliing the small rootlets. When cultivating, first mainly subdue the weeds 

 and hill up the soil around the cuttings. Second and third weedings should be in 

 August aiid September. Before winter sets in the plantation should be free from 

 weeds. In the second, and third year thorough cultivation is requu-ed. The first 

 cultivation should now be given as soon as the frost is out of the ground. All culti- 

 vation must be shallow, not more than 2 inches deep, so as not to injure the roots. 



Manurino. — There is no doubt that by the use of manureor compost the yield can 

 be largely increased, but it is mostly too expensive, as the material would have to 

 be carried into the plantation by hand. As to fertilizers, mucky and peaty soils 

 should not receive an increase of nitrogenous matter, though this is desirable, how- 

 ever, on poor sands and meager loams. Phosphoric acid fertihzers improve the 

 quality of the osiers; the cheap phosphorites, which are readily assimilated, are 

 particularly desirable. Potash, forming a large part of the constituents of willows, 

 is especially effective. Fertihzers are best applied during rainy weather and early 

 in the season, as soon as the rods have been ciit. 



Insects. — The experience that extensive plantations of one kmd increase the num- 

 ber of their enemies holds good for osier holts. Most of the injurious insects are 

 beetles and then* larvse. The former let themselves drop to the ground from their 

 host as soon as this is touched. This habit allows the use of apparatus to catch the 

 beetles in quantity, which should be done as early in spring as possible. 



The application of quick-lime, of hellebore, and of Paris gi'een has been found 

 successful by Mr. L. Gieason, an extensive osier-gi-ower in Syracuse, N, Y. 



The red osier, (Salix purpurea), is especially liable to the attack of a gall-wasp 

 (Cecdclomyia salicis), but its spread can be avoided by cutting and burning up all in- 

 fected rods. 



Harvest. — Osiers should be cut the first year, even if no valuable material can be 

 got. If the cutting is delayed until the second year, branching takes place, and less 

 valuable material is obtained. They should also be cut in the second and thu'd years, 

 but should be left uncut the fourth year to grow to hoop-poles in two to four years. 

 If there be no sufficient market for hoop-poles the yearly cutting may be continued 

 until the growth becomes too slim, which is generally in ten to fifteen years. Cut- 

 ting of rods should be done during Avinter, from November 1 to March 1 ; cut as near 

 the ground as possible. Keep the rods in running water, standing upright, 4 inches 

 of tlie butts under water, until tliey peel easily. 



Hand-peeled stock is preferred and brings a liigher price than steam-peeled rods; 

 the price last year was from 6 to 8 cents per pound. In an average of five years 

 the yield may be from 90 to 130 pounds per 100 stocks. Mr. I. C. Plant, of Macon, 

 Ga., reports one and one-half tons from a three-years' plantation, planted 15 inches 

 in the rows and 5 feet apart. 



In this report credit is due in tlie figuring of statistical tables to j\Ir. 

 ]S". H. Egleston, and in tlie compilation of notes for the list of timber 

 trees to Mr. George B. Sndworth, of the Division. 



B. E. FERN'OW, 

 Chief of the Forestry Division. 

 Hon. Norman J, Colman, 



Commissioner. 

 15 AG— '86 



