80 PRINCIPLES OF AMERICAN FORESTRY. 



deep, sandy soil, drained yet moist. If water for irri- 

 gation can be commanded, so much the better, but the 

 basket Willows will prosper on even rather dry soil of 

 good quality, but do not grow as fast as on moist soil. 

 Avoid locations where stagnant water stands in summer. 

 Among the best situations is along the rivers and brooks 

 that pass through a level country, and on small islands 

 which frequently are found in the midst of streams, or 



FIG. 19. Showing Osier Willow Holt partly cut and part standing. 



swales or hollows. If these places are occasionally quite 

 wet in winter, it does not seem to injure seriously the 

 basket Willows. 



In preparing the soil for this purpose care should be 

 taken to make it very rich, and if necessary for best growth, 

 it should be heavily manured with stable manure and 

 as carefully prepared as if for a crop of corn. The best 



