CHAPTER III 



VARIETIES OF WILLOWS 



MUCH has from time to time been written on the 

 botanical side of this subject, but such information 

 is of small practical use to growers or workers. 



The description given below of the choicest known 

 varieties of willows for basket-making purposes, is, 

 therefore, written exclusively for the guidance of the 

 practical grower, and not from the botanical point of 

 view. The general market prices will be found attached 

 to some of the choicest and best varieties, grown under 

 the best conditions, for Leicestershire and Nottingham- 

 shire productions. These prices may scarcely be realised 

 for many years, but owing to the great shortage of 

 labour associated with the war very considerable areas 

 of willow ground have become derelict and overrun 

 with weeds; and seeing that this equally applies to 

 France, where willows of equal quality are produced, 

 it is reasonable to suppose that the best willows, 

 though they may not continue at these present 

 fancy prices, will for a number of years command 

 extremely profitable and lucrative prices. The varie- 

 ties to which prices are not fixed are of a more 

 ordinary kind, and, generally speaking, do not realise 

 anything approaching the prices given for the best 

 sorts. 



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