46 BULLETIN" 316, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



shoots. The reason for this is that on 2-year-old sprouts there are 

 frequent buds ready to start growth at once, while on older wood the 

 buds and shoots must start after the cutting has been planted and 

 the growing season has commenced. Another advantage of the young 

 sprout is that it is generally free from branches and thus easier to 

 prepare and plant. Under less favorable conditions it is necessary 

 to use cuttings from 2 to 5 years old. When it is known that willow 

 cuttings are to be used the following year, it is a good plan to cut off 

 limbs of small trees the year before in order that suitable material 

 for planting may be produced. A little forethought in this matter 

 will often make the purchase of material from dealers unnecessary, 

 although the grower should make sure that he is planting the right 

 species. 



TIME AND METHOD OF MAKING CUTTINGS. 



The cuttings can be prepared any time after the wood is well 

 ripened in the fall, but in the Northern States the best time is in 

 February, as this gives the cuttings a chance to callous before being 

 set out and at the same time does not necessitate leaving them in 

 storage long enough to become damaged. Cutting can be done with 

 a large knife, a hatchet, a saw and miter box, or with large pruning 

 shears. The cutting should be made smooth and clean. The small 

 saw and miter box is a very rapid method but is likely to tear 

 the bark from the wood, thus injuring the cutting. With a large 

 pruner several sprouts can be cut at once without crushing the bark 

 unless the sprouts are resting on top of each other. In the prepara- 

 tion of larger cuttings an ax or saw must be employed. The ax is 

 preferable. It is best to plant large cuttings as soon as prepared, 

 as they are not easily stored. 



STORAGE AND SHD7MENT. 



It is often advisable to prepare cuttings a considerable length of 

 time before they can be planted. In such a case it is necessary to 

 provide a suitable place for storing them. A cool dark cellar is ideal 

 for this purpose, since at all times of the year growth is less likely to 

 start there than in other places. The cuttings should be buried in 

 an upright position (the buds pointing upward) in moist sand. Moist 

 earth can be used, but it is not so satisfactory as sand. When no 

 other place is available, cuttings can be heeled-in in pits in the open. 

 The top of the pit should always be covered. Cuttings stored in this 

 manner are likely to start early in the spring, and for this reason they 

 should be carefully watched. 



METHOD OF PLANTING. 



In establishing a plantation of willows the amount of preparation 

 to be bestowed upon the land is dependent upon its condition. 

 Land well situated and free from other woody plants and rocks should 



