1907-] 



Osier Cultivation. 



47 



spraying, and the liver of sulphur is washed off, the bushes 

 should be sprayed again as soon as they are dry. 



In order to assist growers in identifying the disease, the 

 Board are issuing an illustrated leaflet, which will be sent upon 

 application. 



American gooseberry mildew has attacked red currants in 

 Ireland and some other countries, and there is reason to believe 

 that it may also attack black currants and raspberries, these 

 plants should, therefore, be kept under observ ation by fruit 

 growers. 



The Board would again urge upon growers the necessity of 

 taking every possible precaution to prevent the spread of 

 American gooseberry mildew during the summer months. 

 From the experience of Irish and Continental growers, it would 

 seem likely that those owners of affected gooseberry bushes 

 who neglect to take drastic measures may incur serious losses. 



The varieties of osier most commonly grown in Holland and 

 Belgium are Salix viminalis (the cane osier), Salix triandria 



(Black Hollanders and similar kinds), 

 Osier Cultivation in and Salix purpurea (the Welsh osier). 

 Holland and Belgium.* The largest yield is obtained from Salix 



triandria, then from Salix viminalis, the 

 smallest yield being got from the other variety, which is used for 

 finer baskel work. They are largely grown as a distinct crop on 

 low-lying lands near rivers and streams in the same way as 

 in tin 1 Fen district in England. In preparing an osier plantation 

 the land is very thoroughly worked, being dug with the spade 

 some 20 to 30 in. deej). Wet land musl be drained, as, although 

 moisture is required, osiers will not thrive in standing water. 

 Manure is rarely applied 111 Belgium or Holland. The planting 

 • »f the sets takes place from th" end of February to the beginning 

 of April. Three-year-old rods are usually employed ; they 

 should be 2 or 3 yards long and well provided with buds. Some 

 growers prefer one or two-year-old rods, and there is no accepted 

 rule as to which is the best. Each of these rods is divided, 

 according to its length, into several pieces. These are the 

 sets, and should be from 1 ft. to 20 in. in length. It is recom- 

 mended that they should be planted as deeply as the soil has 



* Summarised from an an iele in Mm. Jer PcittsJitn. land. -</< ,.'.*.. 2nd Feb., 

 1907. The Hoard have published a leaflet on Osier Cultivation (N»>. 30). 



