AGRICULTURAL TEXT-BOOK. 283 



Lime, - - 0.845 



Magnesia, - 3.010 



Potash, - - 3.920 



Soda, - - - 7.247 



Chlorine, 0.245 



Organic acids, 4500 

 (See Pat. Of. Rep. 1849, p. 473.) 



627. OZIER WILLOW (Salix.) This plant is used for the 

 manufacture of baskets, and other willow-ware. The cultivation 

 of it is only commencing among us. Hitherto, some of the 

 wild species, of which there are 22 in the Northern States, have 

 been used for coarse work; and the imports from Europe are 

 stated at $5,000,000 annually; each ton costing from $100 to 

 $250. If attention were turned to this crop, there is no reason 

 in either the mode of cultivation, in the climate, or appropriate 

 soils, why willows might not become a very profitable product 

 among us. At present, they are grown for market by a few 

 individuals only, in New York, Mississippi, &c. John Heed, of 

 Staten Island, N. Y. is said to have been the first person in 

 America who systematically cultivated the ozier. 



628. The species and varieties, useful for this purpose, are 

 very numerous. Dr. C. W. Grant, of Newburgh, N. Y., has in 

 his possession (1854) nearly 100 varieties, more than 70 of which 

 are from England. Several, which are esteemed in that coun 

 try, have failed with us, probably from their leaves being too 

 delicate to withstand the scorching of the summer sun. 



The following species are thus characterized by Dr. Grant, (a) Black 

 ozier, (Salix nigricans.) brittle, worthless, and not a vigorous grower. 

 (6) Round leaved Willow, (8. Caprea,} Color dark, quality indifferent, 

 tolerates more water than any tolerably good ozier. (c) S. Vimindis, 

 in England, the most vigorous growing and generally cultivated; (d) and 

 a sub-variety called Long- skin, both utterly unsuited to the climate of 

 Ifew York, (e) Yellow Willow, (S. vitellina,) and (/) Huntingdon or 

 White Willow (S. alba,) both, moderately good ; the first as oziers, the 

 second for hoops ; and greatly admired as ornamental trees. The follow 

 ing have been found the most valuable, as oziers, in New York. (#) 



