22 



"Willow culture is destined to become an important indus- 

 try in this region. The first to begin it on damp pine-barren 

 land was the Baron de Hirsch Colony of Russian refugees. 

 The willow has been rightly called the 'Cinderella of Trees.' 

 It will grow on land which for other purposes is almost 

 hopeless. Its pliant twigs are excellent for trunks, boxes, 

 crates, &c, besides baskets. It furnishes work at a season of 

 the year when there is little else to do. It is a good plan, as 

 is common in Europe, for one member of the family to learn 

 the trade of basket-making. In this way a local industry is 

 produced." (Geol. Rpt, '99, Gifford, 290.) 



"The largest portion of willows for baskets is imported. 

 Experiments have fully established that the same kinds and 

 the same quality as those imported can be grown and marketed 

 in New Jersey at a great profit. * * * In Germany and 

 France, where this cultivation has reached its greatest per- 

 fection, willow growers do not hesitate to plant the best of 

 their wheat land in willows. * * * To make willow cul- 

 ture most profitable, such soils should be selected as cannot 

 be otherwise used to advantage. The best soil is a fresh, 

 black sand, but even a heavy, compact loam, or rich but sour 

 meadow land, which produces the poorest quality of grass, is 

 acceptable. Peaty soil, if it can be covered with a layer of 

 sand or loam, will produce a good growth. Moors and gravels 

 are unsuitable, however. Water is desirable, yet they will 

 not thrive in stagnant water. The preparation of the soil 

 should be a thorough one. In no case should a plantation be 

 attempted but in prepared ground. * * * There are 

 more than 250 species of willows, but only a very limited 

 number are of commercial value. The requirements of a good 

 basket willow are, that it produces many slender rods with- 

 out branching, that these rods be soft and pliable and of white 

 color when peeled, and that the stocks produce vigorously for 

 a long period of years. I recommend three kinds, the Almond- 

 leaved Willow, the Bitter Purple Willow, the Common Osier, 

 these being greatly desired by basket makers, as they possess 

 all the qualities a good willow should have, being pliable, 

 durable, tough, and white when peeled. The best time for 

 planting is the late fall, generally the end of October." (Hort. 

 Rpt, '03, Meier, 209.) 



