42 OSIERS AND WILLOWS 



SALIX VIMINALIS, OR COMMON OSIER 



This important species embraces many varieties, 

 which differ very widely in their working qualities; 

 in fact, many are not worth cultivation. Viminalis 

 is a far more vigorous and hardy species than triandm, 

 and is commonly known amongst basket-makers as a 

 full-top or soft rod, carrying as it does a more uniform 

 size to the top than either triandra or pur pur ea. It is 

 distinguished by the strength and length of the shoots, 

 which, in some instances, reach n ft., and even longer, 

 in one season. All varieties of this species are very 

 accommodating in their habits, and generally do best 

 in a dry season, providing the soil is fairly strong and 

 cool; in fact, they will grow in almost any soil, from 

 drift to clay, and make a vigorous growth in a wet 

 period, although the quality of the wood is then 

 deficient, owing to the rapidity of the growth. 



" Long Skin " (perhaps " Long Skein " would be the 

 more correct term), when it is true to kind, is the closest- 

 grained and the hardest-wooded of all the viminalis 

 species, and makes the toughest skeins; but it gives 

 rise to more contention with buyers than any other 

 willow grown, since many growers who possess a good- 

 quality osier persist in describing it as " Long Skin," 

 in the hope of realising the fancy prices sometimes 

 paid for the true sort. Although a vigorous grower, it 

 seldom yields a smooth crop, being frequently damaged 

 by the larvae of insects, which cause the top of the 

 rod to throw out side-shoots. This defect, commonly 

 known amongst basket-makers as rose-top, greatly 

 reduces its value, and the variety is not grown exten- 

 sively, owing to the uncertainty of the crop being 

 smooth. Shoots, 4 ft. to 6 ft. 6 in. Good for white 



