VARIETIES OF WILLOWS 35 



white or buff. Plant 18 in. by 18 in. For the first 

 two years this willow has a tendency to grow curly- 

 butted (with a bend at the butt-end), but as the heads 

 get established and the produce heavier, this objection- 

 able feature disappears. Consequently close planting 

 is recommended in order to secure a straighter growth. 



" Black Italian," a superior and harder willow, 

 thrives best on a damp, alluvial loam, and its fertility 

 is increased by temporary floods. A " shy " cropper, 

 it is not extensively grown, except on land especially 

 suited to it, when it will produce six tons of one-year-old 

 green to the acre. This realises high prices, and is 

 much sought after by makers of the finest baskets or 

 chairs in buff or white. As buff, its colour is a rich, 

 dark gold, and it whitens equally well. 26 per ton 

 was not, before the war, an unusual price for white or 

 buff. In 1918 it fetched 60 to 85. Shoots, 3 ft. 

 to 6 ft. Plant 18 in. by 18 in. 



" Black German " ranks amongst high-class willows, 

 and is easily recognised by a wavy appearance in the 

 growth of the shoot. Less hard than some of the varie- 

 ties, it is suited to a medium loam with good drainage ; 

 it will resist blight and thrive through a dry period 

 better than many other varieties of S. triandra. Shoots, 

 3 ft. 6 in. to 6 ft. 6 in. long, a heavy cropper, and 

 straight at the butt. This willow often cuts six tons 

 to the acre, worth as green 4 per ton, or as buff or 

 white 25 to 26 per ton (in 1918 from 60 to 80). 

 It does not strip well for white from the water, 

 and peels best when cut from the head about May i. 

 Produces a good buff. Plant 18 in. by 18 in. 



" French," like many of the varieties of the triandra 

 species, produces both light and dark coloured bark 

 A superior slender working willow; shoots, from 4 ft. 



