252 TIMBEKS AND THEIK USES 



out the grain in a remarkable manner and im- 

 prove the tones of the wood. 



Basket Making. The growing of Osiers, 

 Salix viminalis and S. triandra, for basket 

 making is now largely a French industry, at 

 any rate in that country th6 best osiers are 

 grown. The rods should be straight and so 

 phant that they may be readily bent without 

 breaking. The Osiers are cut before the leaves 

 open and at a time when there is no frost. After 

 cutting the rods are dried and then tied up in 

 bundles according to size. If they are tied in 

 the wet state they become brittle and useless. 



" For the past few years the demand in this 

 country for high-grade Willows has been greatly 

 in excess of the supply, in fact, hardly one-fifth 

 of our requirements are produced at home. 

 Germany, three years ago, exported Willows and 

 rods to the value of £40,000, representing an 

 increase in five years of fuUy one-half ; while 

 of the manufactured articles in the way of 

 caskets and basket ware the total value of her 

 exports exceeded £42,000. As giving some idea 

 of our wants in this direction it may be stated 

 that the total value of Willow rods annually 

 sent to this country from the Continent is in 

 round figures about £100,000, and of baskets 

 and basket ware fully £170,000. What a con- 



