IN EXTKA-TEOPICAL COTJUTEIES. 295 



demand in England. The plant grows vigorously on light 

 soil or warp-land, but not on clay. S. ruhra (HudeO is also 

 admirably adapted for hedges. The real Osier, S. viminalis 

 (L.), is distinguished by basket-makers as the soft'wooded 

 willow, and is the best for rods requiring two years' age, 

 and also the most eligible for hoofs, but inferior to several 

 other species for basket manufacture. S. triandra (L.) is a 

 prominent representative of the hard-wooded basket-willows, 

 and comprises some of the finest varieties in use of the 

 manufacturers. A crop in the third year after planting from 

 an acre weighs about 13 tons, worth £3 for the ton. S, 

 fragilis (L.) and S. alba (L.) are more important as timber 

 willows, and for growing hoop-shoots. Their rapidity of 

 growth recommends them also for shelter-plantatibns, to 

 ■which advantage may be added their uninflammability and 

 their easy propagation; the latter quality they share with 

 most willows. Mr. Soaling's renewed advocacy for the 

 formation of willow plantations comes with so much force 

 that his advice is here given, though condensed in a few 

 words. Osier plantations come into full bearing in the third 

 year; they bear for ten years and therl slowly decline. 

 The raw produce from an acre in a year averages 6 tons 

 to 7^ tons, ranging in price from £3 10s. to £3 lOs. for 

 the ton (unpeeled). Although 7,000 acres are devoted in 

 Britain to the culture of basket-willows (exclusive of 

 spinneys and plantations for the farmers' own use), yet in 

 1866 there had to be imported from the Continent 4,400 tons 

 of willow branches, at a value of £44,000, while besides the 

 value of the made baskets imported in that year, was equal 

 to the above sum. In recent years the importation into the 

 United States of willow material for baskets, chairs, etc., has, 

 according to Sinimonds, been valued as approaching £1,000,000. 

 Land comparatively valueless for root or grain crops can be 

 used very remuneratively for osier, plantations. The soft- 

 wooded willows Hke to grow in damper grouiid than the hard- 

 wooded species. The best peeled willow branches fetch as 

 much as £25 for the ton. Peeling is best' effected by steam, 

 by which means the material is also increased in durability. No 

 basket-willow will thrive in stagnant water. Osier plantations 

 in humid places should therefore be drained. The cuttings 

 are best taken from branches one or two years old, and are to 

 be planted as close as one foot by one foot and a half. No 

 part of the cutting must remain uncovered, in order that only 

 straight shoots may be obtained; manuring and ploughing 

 between the rows is thus also facilitated, after the crop has 

 been gathered, and this, according to the approved Belgian 



