68 OSIERS AND WILLOWS 



6 ft. 6 in. down to about 5 ft. 6 in. ; then follow No. 2, 

 5 ft. 6 in. to 4 ft. 6 in. ; No. 3, 4 ft. 6 in. to 3 ft. 6 in. ; 

 No. 4, 3 ft. 6 in. to 3 ft. ; and if any smaller are left 

 (Nos. 5 and 6) they are usually put together. 



Drying for Buff 



After the skins have been stripped off, the rods are 

 placed on end in the open air, resting against a support 

 of galvanised wire fencing or rails so as to dry out 

 the bulk of the water through exposure to the sun and 

 air (Fig. 7). If ordinary wire is used it soon becomes 

 rusty. This is calculated to leave an impression on 

 the rod, which for high-class material must be avoided. 

 As the drying continues, colouring develops. The 

 depth of colour produced varies with the variety of 

 willow used, the length of time of boiling, the length 

 of time of exposure and the light and sun conditions. 

 All the rods should, therefore, be exposed so as to get 

 a uniform shade of colour. This drying process needs 

 skill and experience to produce good results, and the 

 process should be under the supervision of a skilled 

 worker. When the correct colour shade of buff has 

 been obtained, the rods are taken into the drying-rooms 

 and laid on wooden racks, supported on rests from the 

 floor to the ceiling. This room should be fitted with a 

 drying-fan, as, without the aid of artificial drying, it 

 is almost impossible to buff on an extensive scale in 

 winter -time. Buffed willows are peculiarly subject to 

 mildew, and, if stacked away in a damp condition, will 

 soon turn mouldy and become spotted. 



Even when the rods are dried by heat, the bunching 

 of buff should not be hurried during the winter months, 

 since the atmosphere has a powerful effect on buff 



