4 8 



Agricultural Education. 



[APRIL, 



been dug ; if it has been dug 20 in. deep or more, longer cut- 

 tings should be used. This is not with the object of forming 

 stronger roots, but to establish the plant more firmly in the 

 ground, and to guard against its being blown about by the wind. 

 Three or four buds may be left above the surface, but on light 

 soil the cuttings may be entirely covered over, as the young 

 shoots will easily push their way towards the light. 



The distance at which planting is done varies very consider- 

 ably, depending on local custom and the purpose for which the 

 osiers are to be used. If strong rods are required, to be cut only 

 every three or four years, planting may be done at distances of 36 

 by 32 in., of 32 in. each way, or of about 27 in. each way. Osiers 

 for annual cutting may be planted at distances of 24 in. by 27 in., 

 or even closer. 



During the first year the ground should be hoed and kept free 

 from weeds. Where the sets are planted wide apart, potatoes 

 and roots are sometimes grown between ; occasionally also 

 fruit trees are planted with them. 



The cutting of the rods takes place in winter, from November 

 to March. Sometimes cutting is done even in the first year 

 after planting and thereafter annually until the plant is worn 

 out. By this method, which is much followed in Belgium, thin 

 one-year rods are ^obtained. If stronger rods are wanted, only 

 some of the shoots from the young plant are removed the first 

 year, leaving seven or nine of the strongest, which remain for 

 two, three, or four years, according to requirements. This 

 may be regulated to suit the demand. When the crop begins 

 to fail the osiers are cut every year till they are exhausted. 

 The duration of such a plantation varies considerably, according 

 to the soil, method of cutting, &c. W^here it is cut over every 

 year it may last from twelve to fifteen years, or, at the most, for 

 twenty years, but. where cutting is done only every three or four 

 years, it may last for fifteen to thirty years, or even much longer. 



The President of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, by 

 a Minute dated 23rd March, 1907, has appointed a Depart- 

 Departmental Com- mental Committe e to inquire as to the 



mittee on Agricultural provlslon which has now been made for 

 Education. affording scientific and technical in- 

 struction in agriculture in England and 

 Wales, and to report whether, in view of the practical results 



