MANIIFACTUEES, ETC. 253 



trast to the state of afiairs at that period in 

 our history when an important export trade was 

 done in Willows by this country ! 



" The Willow- working industry is a rapidly 

 expanding one, and, owing to the increasing 

 demand, the value of peeled Willows is gradually 

 on the increase, present prices ranging from 

 £24 to £38 per ton for those of best size and 

 quality. These are in the main exported and 

 used for high-class work in the basket trade ; 

 rougher unpeeled Willows, that are largely in 

 use for cheap packing hampers and farm pur- 

 poses, bringing in a much lower price. Fruit 

 baskets in immense numbers are annually im- 

 ported from the Continent, one firm alone having 

 sent over 150,000 ; while at the Leith basket 

 works, which mainly cater for the agricultural 

 and fishing industries, thousands of herring 

 baskets alone are sent out every month, and the 

 packing-hamper department is of great interest 

 and a special feature of this enterprising firm." 



Cork is the outer bark of the Cork Oak, 

 Quercus suber, a native of Southern Europe and 

 Northern Africa. Like a vast number of other 

 plants, the outer or exposed parts of this Oak 

 are covered with cork, but in this tree alone 

 is the bark found in masses sufficiently large as 

 to be worth the trouble and expense of cutting. 



