PREPARATION AND MARKETING 59 



In the Midlands I have utilised my steam instal- 

 lation for buffing in a novel manner as follows for 

 forcing the rods to grow in the winter months. A 

 pit, 9 in. deep by 5 yds. wide and 10 yds. long, was 

 built of concrete and bricks. The width was divided 

 into three sections, each of the two outer being 2 yds. 

 wide, whilst the centre, of i yd. \\ide, provided 

 a path. The two outer bays were supplied with a 

 steam-heated pipe, which gave the water a tempera- 

 ture of from 55 : to 65 Fahr. The water was changed 

 twice a week to ensure a constant supply of fresh 

 water. After the rods had been standing in the water 

 for a little over a fortnight, the sap flowed and the rods 

 peeled satisfactory. As the end of each section became 

 empty it \vas filled up again with fresh material. By 

 using this process, many tons of rods were peeled 

 three months before they would be ready for peeling 

 under natural conditions. At a time when white 

 is realising fancy prices, this novel method seems 

 attractive. As there is a strong probability that very 

 high prices will be realised for some years to come, 

 this inexpensive method of peeling out of the natural 

 season is worthy of consideration. 



BUFFING 



This is the earliest operation that can be undertaken 

 when the willows have fully grown, and may be com- 

 menced at any period when the foliage has fallen. 

 Whilst there is no calendar period to indicate this, 

 the wood will usually be sufficiently ripe by the early 

 part of November. Buff rods are produced by boiling 

 in their skins freshly cut rods and those which have 



