Ko. 185.] 331 



foreign countries, of the best of all kinds, we should import, and 

 cultivate, and especially those to Vihose habits our goil and cli- 

 mate would be adapted. This has been done to some extent, but 

 we ought to continue it and increase it. The various countries of 

 Europe have been engaged more or less in this for centuries, and 

 of late perhaps more than ever, and no doubt the practice has 

 added both to the wealth and beauty of most of them. In Eng- 

 land, in George the Second's time, 1770, new plants v/ere intro- 

 duced ; George the third's time, 1756, during this century, that is 

 the eighteenth, on an average 156 plants were anuualy introduced. 

 The ardor of researcii has not in the least abated ; but on the con- 

 trary, increased up to the present time. This would not be the 

 case if the business was not attended with both pleasure and pro- 

 fit. Considerable has been said by several gentlemen present 

 about the osier willow in our country. Wo have a great many 

 varieties of the willow among us, and generally they thrive and 

 grow very luxuriantly and with little cultivation. The whole 

 family of the willows, and which is pretty numerous, requires a 

 moist, wet soil. They do best in meadows and valleys that lay 

 low and contain much moisture, or on the margin and banks of 

 brooks and living streams. This is not only the case with us, but 

 also in Europe, and, it is thought, is their habit all over the 

 woild — wherever they grow. Some think the best kind of the 

 osier wilL)W for making baskets and other fine wicker work will 

 not grow well in the U. S. There is a willow growing in New 

 Jersey and Pennsylvania said to be imported, from which light 

 baskets are made and of good quality, and sent to the New-York 

 and Philadelphia markets. This shows the plant would grow 

 here in certain localities, and probably of the best kind, especially 

 if a little pains were taken with it at fii'st to give it a start and 

 habituate it to our climate and soil. Our people have induce- 

 ments enough for this, as millions of dollars are sent abroad every 

 }e;;rand this fine v.icker work imported in baskets and other 

 shapes for our country, when this luoncy migiit be kept at home 

 and our agricultural and manufacturing industry huve the benefit 

 of it. The qualities which chiefly distinguish the osier willow are 

 the length and slendernes5 of its limbs or twigs; and the flexibil- 

 ity and toughness of its wood. 



