178 TREES OF MINNESOTA. 



the farthest north of any shrub. Only two tree-like species are 

 indigenous within our range, but there are several foreign 

 kinds mentioned here that are of much value for cultivation 

 in this climate. 



Propagation. The willows increase readily from cuttings 

 and are seldom grown in any other way. The cuttings grow 

 readily at almost any season of the year provided they are 

 put in moist soil, even in midsummer, cuttings of firm wood a 

 half inch or more in diameter will grow readily if planted in 

 moist soil, but the best time to make cuttings is in the fall or 

 spring when wood of any age or size will root if properly 

 planted. Some of the weeping varieties are grown by top- 

 working in upright stocks. 



Uses. The bark of the trees of all species of Salix with 

 bitter bark yields salicylic acid which is now used medicinally 

 in the treatment of typhoid fever, gout and rheumatism. Dur- 

 ing the Civil war, ground willow bark was used in the treat- 

 ment of fevers in some of the southern hospitals when 

 quinine could not be obtained. The bark of some species is 

 used for tanning leather. The slender tough twigs are used 

 extensively for basket making and tying. They are often 

 cultivated solely for this purpose. The wood of the Willow 

 is not very valuable, but it is used for light fuel, for charcoal 

 to be used in the manufacture of gunpowder and that of some 

 kinds for timber in a limited way. Some kinds are also 

 planted largely for holding the banks of streams and for 

 windbreaks. For ornamental planting some kinds are used 

 that are very pretty in flower and foliage, which quality, 

 taken in connection with the ease with which they are propa- 

 gated, their hardiness and the rapidity with which they grow, 

 have made them largely used. Although most of the Willows 

 flourish best when they have abundant moisture at their roots, 

 many of them will stand well on any land good enough for 

 corn, and a few kinds, such as the White Willow, are among 

 the hardiest kind we have for prairie planting. 



The term osier willows is applied to a large number of 

 Willows having the quality of furnishing long slender strong 

 shoots that are valuable for basket making and similar pur- 

 poses. The growing of osiers is a matter of considerable 

 importance in many sections of Europe, but has not been 



