44 BULLETIN 316, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



effective in the improvement of the landscape. Throughout the North 

 the black willow is a smaller tree than the white or crack willow, 

 and for this reason inferior to them. As a tree for planting it is not 

 recommended except in places where the main consideration is the 

 protection to be afforded, rather than the material produced. Under 

 these conditions the black willow is very desirable, as it can usually be 

 secured in the vicinity at little cost. 



In the South the same recommendations hold good except for 

 black willow. The lower Mississippi Valley is the region of best 

 development of this species, and its rapid growth and large size make 

 it doubtful whether either crack or white willow would be superior to 

 it. No records of the growth of crack or white willow in the region 

 are available, and until they are preference should be given in plant- 

 ing to the black willow, at least on bottom land. 



CUTTINGS. 



MATERIAL. 



Willows are more easily planted than any of the other commercial 

 tree species of the United States. This is due to the fact that cuttings 

 can be gathered and planted as cheaply as seed of most species, and 

 the first year's growth of cuttings is equal in vigor to that of 1-year- 

 old seedlings. As compared with 1-year-old seedlings, cuttings are 

 much less expensive. Cottonwood can also be propagated by cut- 

 tings, but they are generally less easily secured wild, are more expen- 

 sive if purchased, and unless rooted or calloused suffer a much greater 

 mortality when planted. Under unfavorable conditions uncalloused 

 willow cuttings will start where cottonwood fails completely. Willow 

 cuttings can be obtained for $1 to $1.50 per thousand. When large 

 quantities of cuttings are desired and there is no particular hurry 

 about getting them planted, a few cuttings planted in a row in the 

 garden will supply the necessary planting material. The Forest 

 Service furnishes a list of dealers from whom willow cuttings may be 

 purchased. 



SIZE OP CUTTINGS. 



The cuttings should be obtained from healthy, vigorous plants, the 

 size of the cutting depending upon the kind of crop desired and the 

 conditions under which it is to be grown. If the plants must establish 

 themselves in competition with other species, such as scrubby willows, 

 the cuttings should be larger than where the plantation is to receive 

 cultivation. In open spaces, especially those which can be cultivated 

 for a year or two, cuttings of a foot in length can be used to advan- 

 tage, and these after the first or second year will be abundantly able 

 to take care of themselves, although cultivation for a longer period, 

 if it could be done economically, would increase the growth consider- 



