Willows for Basket Making 247 



around and amongst the sets will be found necessary. 



Cutting the osiers must be done while the crop is dormant, 

 or not later than the middle of February, but not during 

 frost, which will injure and kill off parts of the stool. The 

 cutting is done by means of a rod-hook, which resembles 

 a miniature sickle ; this should always be kept sharp, so 

 that the cuts may be made clean. Tie the rods together 

 when dry, in bundles of three or four sizes, and either house 

 or stack them. It should be borne in mind that rods are 

 easily spoiled by being tied up or stacked whilst in a 

 wet state, as they very soon become heated, which makes 

 them brittle and utterly valueless for the purpose intended. 

 What is known in England as " bolting " is simply taking 

 a number of osiers, as nearly of a size as possible, and laying 

 them on a twisted wand, at the same time keeping the 

 butts all one way, and level, then drawing them tightly 

 together not, however, to such an extent as to injure 

 the bark with a rope and two levers, and finishing off by 

 tying the wand. The wand should be at 14 in. from the 

 butts. A bolt of rods should measure 40 in. round the 

 band. 



In forming a willow bed, the following short rules should 

 be observed : 



1. Willows will not succeed well in peaty, sandy, or 

 water --logged soils ; rich, well-drained loam, that can be 

 flooded at will is the most suitable. 



2. Trench or plough, and thoroughly clean or pulverize 

 the ground before planting. 



3. Plant only the best kinds, studying soil and market, 

 and avoid a mixed crop. 



4. From November to March insert the cuttings about 

 nine inches deep, avoiding such as are bark-chafed, and 

 tramp firmly. 



5. Keep the beds clean and free from weeds. 



6. Cut the crop close to the ground ; pollard willows 

 soon decay and in that state harbour injurious insects. 



The following estimate of the approximate cost per acre 

 of osier culture, and the returns therefrom for the first three 

 years will be of interest : 



