PLANTATIONS OF OSIERS. 



numerous shoots, which, in the second year, form pretty 

 good rods. The leaves are about two inches long, and 

 one inch broad ; dark green above, and cottony under- 

 neath. It is not a common species in Scotland. 



The Velvet Osier (S. mollissima), is a useful sort. It 

 is easily distinguished by its leaves being very smooth 

 and green above, and very silky and soft beneath. Its 

 hoots are long, and very numerous, but not tough. 

 When allowed, however, to remain for two years, they 

 make most capital rods. The shoots are distinguished 

 from many others by their forming a large bend where 

 they come off from the stool. This species is indige- 

 nous to many places of Scotland, as well as England, 

 and should be more cultivated in osier grounds than 

 it is. 



The Bitter purple Willow (S. purpurca), is not com- 

 mon in Scotland; but in Yorkshire, its long slender 

 twigs are sometimes used for fillings to the finer sorts of 

 baskets. It makes excellent bands or withes, being ex- 

 tremely tough ; and the bark is so exceedingly bitter, 

 that no vermin will attack it. This, it is believed, i 

 one of the sorts in demand for tying the hoops on the 

 beef barrels in the Navy Victualling Yard. The leaves 

 are remarkable for becoming broader upwards or out- 

 wards; they are smooth, and somewhat glaucous ; but 

 the excessive bitterness of the leaves and bark, forms 

 perhaps the easiest mark of distinction. 



The Rose Willow (S. Helix, Fl. Brit. ; S. monandra. 

 of Hoffman). This is very like the former, but is no! 

 bitter. It is more common. Its numerous slender 

 purplish twigs make very good fillings for fine basket 

 work. 



The Boyton Willow (5. Lambertiana) resembles th 

 Rose Willow ; but it* leaves are shorter, and have 



shorter 



