VARIETIES OF WILLOWS 43 



one- or two-year-olds, but scarcely equal to second- 

 quality triandra for buff, unless grown on a strong 

 clay soil. Plant 20 in. by 20 in. 



" Brown Merrin " is a more length}* rod than " Long 

 Skin," with the additional advantage that the fly does 

 not attack it nearly so much; moreover, it generally 

 grows smooth. When grown on strong clay it makes a 

 good second-quality white one-year-old, or first-quality 

 two-year-old, or excellent brown. Shoots, 4 ft. to 7 ft., 

 and a heavy cropper. Plant 20 in. by 20 in. 



" The French Osier," first imported from France by 

 myself, is the best of the viminalis group grown in 

 that country. In the North of France it is greatly 

 prized as a skein rod. Shoots, 4 ft. to 7 ft. 6 in. Re- 

 quires a strong loam bordering on clay. Plant 20 in. 

 by 20 in. It should be understood that the term 

 " Osier " is applied exclusively to the varieties of 

 5. viminalis ; thus, " French," described on p. 35, and 

 " French Osier " are quite distinct. 



" Yellow Osier," a fair cropper and invariably 

 smooth, has been observed year after year to escape 

 all attack by fly. The larger sizes make good second- 

 class white, and the full crop excellent brown, when 

 grown on strong upland or meadow clay soil. Shoots, 

 4 ft. to 7 ft. Plant 20 in. by 20 in. 



" Black Top Osier." A very good class osier on soil 

 adapted to it. Does best in a good loam. Attains 

 on an average about 7 ft. to 7 ft. 6 in. in one season, 

 and makes an excellent skein rod. Will make a third- 

 rate white, but the small is too soft for peeling. Plant 

 22 in. by 22 in. 



" Reed Osier," so called from its great length and 

 straight growth, and the " Continental Osier," another 

 variety similar in many respects, are the most vigorous 



