PEACTICAL tfOEESTKY. 



be on the top end of each set. In planting, insert the cut- 

 tings from 9 to 12 in. into the ground, leaving 3 in. above 

 soil, which forms the stool that bears the future crops. 



It is well to exercise great caution whilst inserting the 

 cuttings, as, if the work has been delayed till the sap is 

 rising, the bark readily strips away from the wood, and this 

 is very objectionable, as the plants in such a state usually 

 die. The sets may be placed about 15 in. apart, and the 

 rows, which, for convenience, should be lined off straight, 

 about 30 in. from each other. Of course, a great deal as 

 regards distances will depend on the quality of the soil and 

 particular kind of willow being planted, but these are good 

 average distances. For basket-making, etc., the best kinds 

 of osiers to use are the golden brown Spaniard, long-skinned 

 plum, Sussex: new kind, and white osier; but there are 

 others. A good basket-willow, be it of whatever kind, 

 should, when green, twist from end to end without break- 

 ing. It is well to bear, in mind that, in order to have the 

 greatest profits on willow-culture, only the very best kinds 

 should be planted indeed, a judicious selection should, next 

 to preparing the ground, be one of the main considerations. 

 For the first year, at least, after being formed, osier-beda 

 must be carefully attended to in the way of cleaning and 

 weeding. Hoeing will be found the most convenient 

 method of getting rid of v/eeds, but, in the case of bindweed, 

 hand-picking around and amongst the sets will have to be 

 re-sorted to. 



Gutting the Osiers. This must be done while the crop is 

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

 during frcst, which will injure and kill off parts of the stool. 

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

 resembles a miniature sickle, and this should always be kept 

 sharp, so that the cuts made may fye 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 readily spoiled 

 by being tied up and stacked whilst in a wet state, as they 

 are very soon heated, which makes them brittle and utterly 

 valueless ibr the purpose intended. What is known in 



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