44 OSIERS AND WILLOWS 



known; they are very suitable for holding up river 

 banks, for wild-bird coverts, or low, out-of-the-way 

 places, and often reach a length of n ft. and over in 

 one season. After the heads are well established little 

 attention is necessary, the foliage being dense enough 

 to destroy the vegetable growth underneath. These 

 two varieties provide the straightest and longest sticks 

 grown, and when left for two or three years' growth 

 command a brisk demand amongst all makers of transit 

 hampers and basket furniture which latter business 

 has developed into a great industry in this country, 

 and which in the past has been mainly supplied from 

 Germany. When cut as one-year-olds they make 

 good brown, and supply a larger proportion of staking 

 than any other variety. Plant for one-year-olds, 

 22 in. by 22 in. ; if for sticks, 26 in. by 26 in. 



" Meally Top Osier." Another very vigorous-grow- 

 ing variety, chiefly to be found in Somersetshire and 

 some districts of the Eastern Counties. It is best suited 

 to a heavy soil and frequently attains 10 to n ft. in one 

 season. Cannot be recommended for white but makes 

 excellent brown for market gardeners' work, and equally 

 good sticks which can be whitened or buffed. Plant 

 24 in. by 24 in. 



A strong loam or clay soil is necessary for all the 

 varieties recommended for sticks because of the great 

 length to which they attain; otherwise the action of 

 the wind during the winter season would so loosen the 

 roots in a lighter soil that there would be a great risk 

 of them dying. Are unsuitable for peeling white as 

 one-year-olds, but make excellent white or buff sticks. 



All the viminalis varieties are characterised by their 

 heavy yields, and most by their adaptability to all 

 soil conditions, and the low quality of the rods which 



