THE CULTIVATION OF BASKET WILLOWS 25 



land occasionally overflowed with salt water, provided 

 it is suitable in other respects, whilst slightly brackish 

 tidal water suits all vigorous-growing sorts, as can be 

 seen on the islands and banks of the Thames, Severn, 

 Trent, "etc. 



11. Willows, when planted on the banks of rivers, 

 possess an additional value by preventing denudation ; 

 their long, fibrous roots have great range and tenacity, 

 and the shoots, if cut every two or three years, can be 

 readily sold as sticks. 



12. The inclusive cost of planting good-quality 

 basket willows was before the war about i 55. per 

 thousand or a little over, based on 19,360 plants per 

 acre, the number necessary if planted 18 in. by i8in., 

 which is the best distance for the choicer sorts. 



13. All cuttings should be inserted in the ground 

 from 10 in. to n. in. 



14. The number of cuttings required for an imperial 

 acre is as follows : 



Planted 1 6 in. by 1 6 in. . . . 24,502 



18 in. by 18 in. . . . 19,360 



20 in. by 20 in. . . 15,681 



22 in. by 22 in. . . 12,960 



24 in. by 24 in. . . . 10,890 



27 in. by 27 in. . . 8,604 



30 in. by 30 in. . . 6,970 



36 in. by 36 in. . . . 4,840 



15. When cuttings are planted with a view to grow- 

 ting timber trees, all the first-year shoots should be cut 

 to the ground, and any defective or crooked shoots 

 removed at the end of the second year, leaving straight, 

 clean stems to grow on for timber. 



