24 OSIERS AND WILLOWS 



certain of the land being in proper condition for the 

 subsequent planting, for, if the cuttings are stuck into 

 unbroken clods of soil, success can scarcely be expected 

 to follow. 



6. The best sorts should be procured, no matter at 

 what cost, for basket willows. The cuttings must be 

 healthy, and not have been retarded in the previous 

 season by attacks of insects, and they must be adapted 

 to the requirements of the market for which the produce 

 is intended. A mixed crop is only of small value, 

 whilst it involves a deal of extra labour at peeling time. 

 Moreover, a little additional trouble and expense at 

 the outset is well repaid, since a willow ground will 

 last from twenty to thirty years if properly cut and 

 cared for. All new plantations should be protected 

 against ground game, for even the shoots of the bitter 

 varieties of willows are not proof against rats, rabbits, 

 or hares. 



7. After the cuttings have been planted, the ground 

 around them should be thoroughly trodden down; 

 if this is done in a slovenly manner many cuttings 

 will die. 



8. If the bark of a cutting is much chafed or entirely 

 broken, the cutting should not be used. 



9. Basket willows will not pay if planted in small, 

 out-of-the-way corners. Any patches of spare land 

 may be planted for poles or timber, but not for basket 

 willows. 



10. Willows make good wind screens or nurse trees, 

 and the species known as S. repens will grow on 

 the seashore sand-dunes. It forms an excellent 

 shelter for seaside gardens and promenades, and is 

 largely used at the best French coast resorts and golf 

 grounds for that purpose. Some willows will grow on 



