CHAP. CIII. SALICA^CEuE. SA X LIX. 14-65 



be inserted in the soil ; the cutting being placed perpendicularly, and the 

 soil pressed firmly to it, more especially at its lower extremity. The reason 

 why the lower end of the cutting is cut directly across, and not sloping like 

 the upper end, is, that it may form an equal callosity all round it, and, con- 

 sequently, throw out an equal number of roots from that callosity on every 

 side. The reason why the cutting is placed upright is, that the roots may be 

 principally formed at its lower extremity ; because that makes a handsomer 

 and more symmetrical plant than when the roots are protruded partly from 

 the lower end, and partly from the side. It is found from experience, that, 

 when a cutting is put in in a sloping direction, roots are protruded nearly 

 equally through all that part that is buried in the ground, unless the soil has 

 been more closely pressed against one part than another,- in which case 

 the roots will there be protruded in greater abundance ; and, if the soil has 

 not been pressed to the lower extremity, it will probably produce no roots 

 at all there, but rot. The upper extremity of the cutting is cut in a sloping 

 direction, merely to throw off the rain. When willows are to be planted 

 where they are finally to remain, cuttings may be made of the two-years-old 

 wood, about 2 ft. long, and cut in a sloping direction at both ends. The 

 advantages of choosing the two-years-old wood is, that the plants produced 

 are more vigorous, which is not always desirable in plants that are to be trans- 

 planted, on account of their greater bulk, and the consequent expense of 

 their removal. The cuttings of the two-years-old wood should be inserted 

 in the ground, either by means of an iron-pointed dibber, or merely by being 

 pushed in, at least 10 in. in length, and made firm by treading, They should 

 be inserted in a slanting direction ; in consequence of which, and also of 

 being made firm during the whole length of the part buried in the soil, 

 roots are protruded not only at the lower end, but throughout the whole 

 length of the part which is in the ground. This mode of making cuttings, 

 and of inserting them, is more particularly necessary when a plantation of 

 willows is made in a grassy surface on the banks of rivers or streams. Cut- 

 tings of the smaller kinds of willows, and especially of those kinds which are 

 somewhat difficult to strike, should be planted in a sandy soil, in a shady 

 situation, and kept moist. The few that are extremely difficult to strike 

 should have their cuttings formed of the growing wood with the leaves on ; 

 and, after being planted in sand, they should be covered with a hand-glass. 

 The best season for putting in cuttings of the winter's wood is the autumn, 

 in consequence of which the buds swell during the winter, and are ready to 

 grow with vigour in the spring ; but in wet soil, and in climates where they 

 are liable to be loosened by the frost in the winter season, cuttings planted iu 

 autumn ought to be made firm a second time in the spring. 



The principal willow which propagates itself by seeds in Europe is the S. 

 caprea, and its very numerous allied kinds. The seeds are small and black, and 

 enveloped in a tuft of cottony matter. They are ripe in May, or early in 

 June ; and they are speedily dispersed by the wind. If they fall in soil 

 moist and shaded from the sun, or if a heavy shower of rain happen soon 

 afterwards, they will spring up in three weeks, and produce plants 3 in. or 

 4 in. high before the end of the season. In France, Bosc informs us, this 

 kind of willow is sometimes raised from seed, in the government nurseries, 

 for transplantation into the national forests ; and all that it requires is, to be 

 sown on an even surface, well watered, and very slightly covered with loose 

 litter. We are not aware of the willow having ever been grafted, though we 

 think very curious and beautiful plants might be formed by grafting the 

 trailing sorts standard high, or by grafting a number of sorts on one tree. 

 In some parts of England, seedling willows are collected in the indigenous 

 woods by the country people, by whom they are sold to the local nurserymen, 

 who grow them for one or two years, after which they are ready for planting 

 in coppice-woods. 



Culture. The first point to be attended to in the culture of any species 

 of willow, no matter for what purpose, is, to determine whether the male or the 



