MYSOEE AND COOEG. 313 



LXVIII. SALIOINE^. 



572 Salix tetrasperma, 'Roxb, Kan. Niravanji, Mranjij 

 Fig.-Bedd. Fl. Sylv ■ t. 302. Wight. Ic. 1. 1954. 

 References.— Bratid. For. Fl. 462 ; Diet, of Econ. 



Prod, of Ind. ; Fl. of Brit. Ind. 



The South Indian willow tree. Much planted on 

 the banks of rivers, streams, and nallahs, where it 

 attains to a height of 20 — 40 feet, and acts as a good 

 barrier to the wear and tear of running water. 

 Leaves deciduous, alternate, petiolate, stipulate, 

 narrowly, or somewhat broadly, ovate-lanceolate; 

 average blade b^l in. Flowers appearing in ad- 

 vance of, or simultaneously with, the young leaves, 

 in slender yellow catkins. For planting in moist 

 land, this is one of the most suitable trees. Often 

 planted at the roadsides where there are tanks and 

 wet cultivation. Sapwood abundant, whitish ; heart 

 wood small, dark-brown, weighing 35 — 40 lb. per 

 cubic foot. When procurable in size, which is the 

 chief difficulty, the heartwood is admirably adapt- 

 ed for cabinet and fancy work. The whole tree is 

 much prized as an efficient source of fuel, and is 

 rather largely used in some parts for the manufac- 

 ture of gunpowder charcoal. Baskets and wicker 

 work are made from the supple shoots and branch- 

 es.- The green foliage is browsed upon by cattle, 

 and trees are often badly pollarded on that account. 



573 Salix babylonica, Linn. 



The weeping-willow tree. This introduced 

 species is occasionally found in gardens, and there 

 are three old trees on the bund of the Shoolay Tank, 

 at Bangalore. Well suited for ornamental planting 

 near water, and on lawns that are favourably 

 situated in regard to irrigation in the dry season. 



Cultivation— The presence of m,oisture is a sine 

 qua non in the successful cultivation of willow trees, 

 and in this country, the last named species will only 



40 



