TREE CULTURE IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 47 



Osiers must have plenty of moisture to succeed well and grow to per- 

 fection. Unless they have this, it is useless to attempt to grow them. 

 They succeed best upon soils of a deep, loose, strong loam, with a retentive 

 subsoil, such as we invariably find where water lodges. They also, how- 

 ever, grow well on soils of a poorer and Hghter character, so long as 

 there is plenty of moisture in the subsoil, although, in this case, the crop 

 will not be in such bulk and to such perfection as in the other case re- 

 ferred to. An excellent site for an osier bed is on a flat with high 

 grounds all round it, from which moisture is supplied to the plants by 

 gravitation. Perhaps, however, the best site of all is on the banks of 

 a river near the sea, which are subject to tidal overflow. On such a site 

 the beds are supplied with plenty of water and manure in the shape of 

 mud-sediment, from which cause a great growth ensues, and notwith- 

 standing frequent cuttings, no deterioration of the crop takes place. 



As a rule, osier beds, if properly planted and managed, will last from 

 30 to 70 years, according to the quality of the soil, without renovation, 

 except by occasional mending. In this remark I, of course, refer to 

 my experience of osier plantations in Europe ; but at the same time, 

 I think that the remark will apply to them in this country as well. 



The preparation of the ground previous to its being planted is an 

 important matter to the after success of the crop. No expense should, 

 therefore, be spared in order to give it full justice in this respect. The 

 soil must be made loose, and entirely free from obstructions in the way 

 of stones, tree-roots, &c., &c. ; and in order to do this, it should be 

 carefully trenched to a depth of from 1 8 to 24in. In very wet and cold 

 places the ground should be drained. 



The ground properly prepared, as advised above, the osiers may then 

 be inserted in their sites. It is usual to put cuttings in instead of plants, 

 and these should consist of strong young wood, about ^in. to lin. thick, 

 and about 15in. to 18in. in length. The cuttings should be procured 

 at the season of the year when the trees have cast their leaves and their 

 vitality is in a dormant state. 



The sets should be inserted in the ground to a depth of from lOin, to 

 12in., and placed in rows 2ft. to 2Jft. apart, with the sets ISin. from one 

 another in the rows. It is absolutely necessary to plant them at this short 

 distance apart, in order that the shoots may become straight and slender, 

 and therefore fit for the purposes of basket-making. 



If the shoots are not very strong the first year, they should be allowed 

 to remain for a season in order to strengthen the stocks. In cutting the 

 first crop, care must be taken to leave several buds on the stocks. 

 In after- cuttings the shoots should be removed close to those parts. Of 

 course, as to how long they should remain on the stock, much will 

 depend upon the purpose for which the shoots are intended ; it for 

 common basket-work, one year's growth vrill suffice ; but if they are to 

 be used for hoop-making, &c., two, and perhaps three years' growth will 

 be necessary. 



The crop should be eut after the leaves have fallen. 



After the crop has been removed, the ground all round the stocks 

 should be dug, manured, and otherwise carefully attended to. 



