300 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



in the most stagnant state of the sap ; and in all cases when it is required 

 for bending, it cannot be cut too early in the winter ; if cut when the sap 

 is rising, it will be brittle, and totally unfit for those purposes. Farmers 

 should be cautious how they listen to the advice of their wood-choppers, 

 when timber plantations are to be cut, as they will invariably suggest that 

 method and season which will be most pleasing to themselves. 



There is another species of planting, which in numerous situations, such 

 as those of the boggy borders of streams, is exceedingly advantageous ; 

 this is that of the ozier, for the purpose of basket-making. The method 

 of planting is thus ; obtain sets sixteen inches long, cut ofi" diagonally 

 from the strongest shoots of the last year's growth, care being taken not 

 to cut too near the top, as that part is porous ; then mark the ground out 

 in rows, two feet apart, in the month of March, and place the sets in them, 

 twenty inches from each other, leaving six inches of the sets above ground ; 

 they must then be kept perfectly free from weeds by the hoe, but if the 

 ground is too wet for this instrument, a weeding hook must be used, as this 

 is absolutely necessary to insure a good plantation ; and it is likewise 

 necessary to keep the land well drained, that the tides may be prevented 

 from remaining long, for upon this depend the firmness and quality of 

 the rods. 



The first year the willows should be cut over with a bill-hook, close to 

 the stock, and bound up in hurdles, measuring thirty-five inches round at 

 fifteen inches above the butt ends. The next year a portion may be left 

 standing, to supply large stuff' for the ribs of large baskets. The planting 

 of oziers is expensive the first year ; but if properly managed, and kept 

 clean, they produce an increasing profit annually. The three varieties 

 generally planted are : 



1st. The salix vitallina, cultivated for nurserymen. 



2d. The salix amygdalina, of which there are several varieties, used for 

 binding garden produce. 



3d. The salix vinimalis, of which there are several varieties ; they are 

 chiefly used by basket makers. These three descriptions comprehend the 

 most useful kinds, and are the most profitable, in point of crop, of any that 

 are cultivated. > 



But the thermal conditions of even such a region may interfere with its 

 fertility, and prevent the growth of the willow. All soils must possess a 

 certain physical texture before any plant will grow upon them ; the tem- 

 perature of the locality determines, in a measure, what plant shall succeed, 

 as upon the combined influence? of moisture and heat depend the cultivated 

 crops and varied floras of diff'erent parts of the world. Hundreds of plants, 

 which produce magnificently beneath a tropical sun, will not expand a 

 single flower when exposed to the influences of an arctic sky. 



Man also exercises a wonderful influence upon soil, which is worthy of 

 attentive consideration. When he first lands in our western country, he 

 finds fertility everywhere surrounding him. The green and luxuriant grass 

 waves high and thick, and the splendid trees raise their glorious, broad 



