COMMON OSIER. 291 



Among these, the common osier is the largest of our 

 tribe in England : its branches make excellent hoops and 

 baskets of the larger sort, as in the days of Virgil. 



" But when cold weather and continued rain, 

 The lab'ring husband in his house restrain, 

 Let him forecast his work with timely care, 

 Which else is huddled when the skies are fair ; 

 Or sharpen stakes, or head the forks, or twine 

 The sallow twigs to tie the straggling vine ; 

 Or wicker baskets weave." 



The common osier is often seen in willow-beds, and 

 is planted not unfrequently along the banks of rivers, 

 to preserve them from being washed away by the force 

 of the current ; the same tree forms hedges of rapid 

 growth, which serve as screens to protect plantations 

 from the wind. Among aquatic trees, the osier stands 

 foremost as a coppice wood, whether it is cut annually 

 for basket-makers, or suffered to stand for some years, in 

 order that the stems and branches may be available for 



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