382 SYLVICULTURAL NOTES ON TIMBER TREES 



cricket bats. Except for such purposes, the cultivation of 

 tree Willows will not prove nearly so remunerative as the 

 cultivation of Black Poplars. 



The Planting of Willows for the Production of Timber 

 for Cricket Bats. 1 



Whenever it is desired to grow Willow timber for the 

 manufacture of cricket bats, the greatest care is necessary, 

 in order to obtain the right kind of stock. 



The best timber is produced by Salix alba cczrulea and 

 that of Salix viridis ; 2 and Salix alba ranks next. On the 

 other hand, the timber of Salix fragilis or its varieties is 

 quite unsuited for any except the cheapest kinds of bats, and 

 is usually difficult to sell. 



The trade requirements demand a " close bark," or fairly 

 smooth bark, with branches somewhat erect or fastigiate ; 

 whereas trees of Salix fragilis and its varieties which have a 

 coarse open bark and a spreading crown, are always avoided 

 by trade buyers. 



In this connection it has been noticed that the female 

 trees are more erect and fastigiate than the male trees ; and, 

 therefore, until the contrary may be proved, cuttings obtained 

 from female trees of the proper varieties should alone be 

 planted ; and, furthermore, these cuttings should be taken 

 from a stock obtained from trees growing in the counties of 

 Essex, Herts, or Suffolk, where alone the best bat Willow is 

 at present to be found. 



The timber of 5. alba, S. alba ccerulea, and 5. viridis is 

 white, soft, tough, not easily split, and light in weight. The 

 timber of 5. alba c&rulea is the lightest of all, and hence is 



1 For further information on this subject, vide "Bulletin No. 8, 1907, 

 The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew ; " also an article by A. E. Pratt in the 

 Quaterly Journal of Forestry, October 1907. 



2 Salix viridis is an hybrid between S. alba and S. fragilis. It is 

 very variable in its habit ; sometimes it resembles very nearly the habit 

 of S. alba or S. alba carulea; but at other times it resembles the S. 



fragilis. It is, however, only when it approaches the S. alba or its 

 varieties in its habits, that it produces a good timber for the manufacture 

 of bats. 



