380 



quality they share with most Willows. Mr. Scaling'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 already in the third year ; they bear for 

 ten years and then slowly decline. The raw-produce from 

 an acre in a year averages 6 tons to 1\ tons, ranging in 

 price from £2 10s. to £3 10s. for the ton (unpeeled). 

 Although 7000 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 4400 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. 

 Land comparatively valueless for root or grain crop can be 

 used very remuneratively for Osier-plantations. The soft- 

 wooded Willows like to grow in damper ground, 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 1 foot by 

 li foot. 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 method, must be done by cutting the 

 shoots close to the ground after the fall of the leaves. 



Salvia officinalis, E. 



The Garden Sage. Countries at the Mediterranean Sea. A 

 somewhat shrubby plant of medicinal value, pervaded by 

 essential oil. Among nearly half a thousand species of this 

 genus some are gorgeously ornamental. 



Sambucus nigra, E. 



The ordinary Elder. Europe, North Africa, Middle Asia. 

 The flowers are of medicinal value, and an essential oil can 



