45 2 



THE OSIER. 



Beside each group is a forked stick, made like a wooden clothes- 

 peg, and called a " break," and through and through the fork the 

 withy stems are pulled till the. red bark is stripped, and they glisten 

 ivory white in the sunshine. 



Meanwhile the men-folk are busy sorting the peeled withies and. 

 laying them in rows on a framework of rods to dry. 



There are several species of Osiers, and as they frequently cross, 

 still more numerous varieties. The name " Osier " is frequently given 

 to any of the smaller Willows which are suitable for basket-work, 

 that is to say, those which produce tough, flexible shoots. 



