The Osier, its Culture, Profits, and Machine for Peeling. 201 



been no mnchine to peel them with, and the great amount of labor 

 requisite to peel tliem by hand in the short time in May and June, 

 while tlie bark will strip, has eifectually prevented their extensive 

 cultivation in this country, where labor is so scarce and high. 



But this objection is now overcome, and with proper care in 

 their cultivation, willows can now be grown in this country al- 

 most as cheap as hay, and while one sells for $10 or $15, the other 

 brings from $100 to $200 per ton, and the demand for them is un- 

 limited, for there is no end to the uses to which they can be ap- 

 plied. At present there is but very few in market, and the prices 

 rule very high, owing to the supply from Europe being reduced on 

 account of the war. 



In our western cities the prices of willow is higher than in New 

 York .In St. Louis it has ranged as high as ten cents per pound for 

 a very common article, the past season. 



Leaf of Basket Willow, { Salix viminalis) . 



There is no more difficulty in cultivating willow than any other 

 crop, only they have to be planted but once, and it is very impor- 

 tant they should be started right. And one of the most important 

 things in starting a willow plantation is to procure cuttings of the 

 right kind. The Salix ximinalis has proved to be the best kind for 

 cultivation in this country ; it grows very long, smooth, and free 

 from side branches. There are several other kinds which have 

 been recommended for cultivation by nurserymen and others en- 

 gaged in selling cuttings. Some of them are worthless, and oth- 

 ers, such as the Salix forlyana, S. purpitrea, S. triandrice, &c., are 

 vary good tough willows'for baskets, but they grow so full of limbs 

 that they cannot be peeled with a machine, and it will not pay to 

 grow them in this country, and trim and peel them by hand. 



Those about to plant willows will be sure they get cuttings of 

 the tree Salix viininalis. I will not warrant my machine to peel 

 any other kind, and I think it would be difficult to find a machine 

 that would peel a willow full of side branches. The next impor- 

 tant thing is choosing the proper soil and situation, which should 

 be rich and naturally moist, but not too wet. The best soil is a 



