464 



Cricket Bat Willow. 



[NOV., 



another says that it is quite worthless. The probable explana- 

 tion of this is that " Russelliana " is a name that has been 

 given to two different willows. Most commonly it has been 

 appliecfto the " crack willow " (S. fragilis) ; in that connection, 

 therefore, it indicates the very inferior willow for bat-making. 

 But the name has also been given to the hybrid between Salix 

 alba and 5. fragilis which, as has already been explained, is 

 itself a variable plant, but is often of good, although not the 

 best, quality. The name " Russelliana " is now no longer 

 used by the leading authorities on British willows, so that 

 those interested in the cricket-bat willows would do well to 

 discontinue its use. 



Popular and Local Names. — Another source of confusion 

 arises from the use of local names. So misleading are they, 

 that they should be dispensed with altogether in connection 

 with the present question, since it is hopeless now to find one 

 popular name restricted to one particular willow. A name 

 given to a particular species or variety may be in general use 

 in one district, but it may be given to quite a different tree 

 in another. The terms " Huntingdon willow " and " Leicester- 

 shire willow " have both been applied to Salix alba, to Salix 

 alba, var. caerulea, and to Salix fragilis. 



Propagation and Cultivation — -It will have been gathered 

 from what has been said that there is at the present time a 

 brisk demand for young trees or " sets " of the true " bat wil- 

 low." Inquiries are being continually addressed to Kew as 

 to where they can be obtained, but no one is known at the. 

 present time who is able and willing to supply them in quantity. 

 It is of little use applying to the ordinary trade firms. With 

 the best will and the most honest intentions they may supply 

 the wrong tree, because, as has already been pointed out, it is 

 not Salix alba var. caerulea merely that is wanted. 



So far as our present knowledge takes us, it is the erect-grow- 

 ing form alone that can be relied on, and then possibly the 

 female plant only, and it is only safe to plant stock which has 

 come originally from the counties of Essex, Suffolk, or Herts. 



The usual method of propagating this willow is by means of 



sets." These " sets " are branches cut as thick as, or thicker 

 than a broom-handle, with the minor branches and twigs 

 removed ; they are thus transformed into bare rods which, 



