1909.] Cultivation of Willows in Lancashire. 767 



tinually acquired until he and his sons had about 500 acres 

 under cultivation. Other farmers also planted largely when 

 the trade was at its best, but of late years, owing principally 

 to depression in trade and foreign competition, a considerable 

 amount of land has been reclaimed for ordinary farm crops. 

 According to Mr. Cowley, however, taking good and bad 

 years together, willows pay at least as well as other farm 

 crops. 



When forming a willow bed, the ground is well worked 

 and cleaned, and good, strong cuttings are inserted one foot 

 apart in rows two feet apart. The majority form sturdy 

 plants the first year, and are assisted by being kept perfectly 

 free from weeds and by frequent working of the surface soil. 

 In fact, to be successful with a crop of willows, Mr. Cowley 

 contends that throughout life they must be kept as free from 

 weeds as any other crop. A full crop of rods may be expected 

 from strong-growing varieties the third year after planting, 

 but weak-growing kinds require a year or two longer. Har- 

 vesting operations are got through as quickly as possible 

 after the fall of the leaves. Usually, the stools are cut over 

 annually, but when specially strong rods are required, they 

 are allowed to remain for two years. When cutting the rods, 

 great care is taken to remove them close to the stool. If 

 this is not done, numerous buds are left, which result in large 

 numbers of weak shoots the following year instead of a 

 smaller number of more vigorous ones. As soon as possible 

 after the removal of the crop, the ground is well cleaned and 

 worked, and a dressing of manure is given. When carefully 

 cultivated, a willow plantation will give good results for a 

 very long period. There are fields in full vigour which have 

 been down between 20 and 30 years, and still older ones exist. 

 The destruction of a willow bed is a simpler operation than 

 would be expected. A strongly horsed plough is run along 

 a row close to the stools; it is then run along the opposite 

 side, turning the stools over ; men follow, and drag the plants 

 out ready for the next furrow. In this way a field is ploughed 

 in very little more time than a clear field would be. 



When removed from the ground the rods are made into 

 stacks and are left for use. Many of the finer-growing 

 sorts are peeled for fancy work, and the peeling is done as 



