METHODS OF TREATMENT 99 



desired, and is then cut down to reproduce itself. To obtain 

 strong shoots the cut should be made as near the ground as 

 possible, as the new shoot then often forms roots of its own, 

 and becomes independent of the old stool. The only excep- 

 tion to this is where floods are likely, as in alder coppices ; 

 here the stools may be cut a foot from the ground. The cut 

 should be smooth, and slanting, so that water cannot lodge on 

 it, and the bark must not be separated from the wood. The 

 best season for cutting coppice is February and March, as if it 

 is done in autumn frost may separate the bark. As few 

 species have the power of sending out good shoots from stools 

 over forty years of age, only small produce can be obtained 

 from coppice woods. Formerly oak was largely grown on 

 a rotation of from eight to sixteen years for bark; alder and 

 other species were coppiced for charcoal for the manufacture 

 of gunpowder ; chestnut for hop-poles, and ash for various 

 purposes, but at the present time, owing to the fall in prices, 

 it will seldom pay to grow any of these as coppice, as small 

 produce can now seldom be sold. 



There is, however, a considerable area of osier holts, or 

 coppices of various species of willow, used for basket-making, 

 in Great Britain, and this industry might be extended on deep, 

 rich, alluvial land liable to be flooded occasionally. Salix 

 viminaliS) triandra^ and purptirea are the chief willows em- 

 ployed. To form an osier holt the land is thoroughly cleaned 

 the summer before planting, and is ploughed or dug to a 

 depth of 14 to 1 6 inches. The willows are planted in 

 February or March, using sets or cuttings from wood of two 

 years' growth, 16 inches long, of which 10 inches are put 

 in the ground. The shoots are cut back annually, and the 

 holt usually lasts about fifteen years before the stock must be 

 replaced. For further details regarding this work the woodman 

 should obtain the Board of Agriculture leaflet No. 36. 



For coppices of other species the age of the produce most 

 easily sold should be ascertained, and this should be taken as 



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