46 Huntingdon Willow. 



out sward; at the bottom runs a small rivulet on a bed of the 

 same kind of gravel. The bank and higher grounds were 

 planted with oaks, larch, and Scotch fir, and the sides of the 

 rill with alder and Huntingdon willow. The undertaking was 

 bv rny neighbours reckoned foolish, and I had to encounter no 

 little obloquy for my presumption. The result, however, has 

 been favourable, the plants on the high ground come away 

 boldly, and in the hollow, which is only about 50 feet above 

 the level of the sea, the Huntingdon willow has made astonish- 

 ing progress ; at four feet above the ground, several of the trees 

 already measure 46 inches in circumference, and in length 

 from 55 to 60 feet, giving fully an inch in diameter, and tour 

 feet in altitude for every year they have been in the soil. The 

 plants were about four feet in length, and one-fourth of an inch 

 diameter at planting. Pruning has been regularly attended to, all 

 thick aspiring branches were removed, the leading shoot and 

 numerous small side shoots encouraged for the purpose of pro- 

 ducing sufficient foliage to elaborate the sap. 



One peculiar advantage in the culture of this valuable plant 

 is, that in planting, rooted plants are not absolutely requisite. 

 I have found shoots of from six to eight feet, and about two 

 inches in diameter, succeed better than rooted plants ; they re- 

 quire to be put from eighteen inches to two feet deep in marshy 

 soil, which should be drained ; the numerous roots sent out 

 in such soil affords abundant nourishment, and shoots are pro- 

 duced the first year more vigorous than when the plants have 

 been previously rooted. 



If you think this paper worthy of a place in your " Gar- 

 dener's Magazine," and if it shall have the effect of turning the 

 attention of any of your readers to the cultivation of a plant 

 which is particularly useful, I shall feel highly gratified. 



In the mean time I shall conclude by expressing my sin- 

 cerest wish for the prosperity of your present undertaking ; a 

 " Gardener's Magazine" I have long considered as a desider- 

 atum in the periodical literature of the day. Your other la- 

 bours on rural, economy I am not unacquainted with. The 

 talent, the zeal, and the perseverance these labours exhibit, 

 produce my cheerful compliance with your request, in becom- 

 ing a contributor to your Magazine. 



I am most respectfully, Sir, 



Your obedient servant, 



Archd. Gorrie. 

 Annat Garden, Errol, 



Dec. &h, 1825. 



