912 



Varieties of Willows 



[FEB 



out side-shoots. This defect, commonly known amongst 

 basket-makers as rose-top, greatly reduces its value, and 

 the variety is not grown extensively, owing to the uncertainty 

 of the crop. Shoots, 4 ft. to 6 ft. 6 in. Good for white one- or 

 two-year-olds, but scarcely equal to second-quality triandra 

 for buff, unless grown on a strong clay soil. Plant 20 in. 

 by 20 in. 



"Brown Merrin " is a more lengthy rod than Long Skin, 

 with the additional advantage that the fly does not attack it 

 nearly so much; moreover, it generally grows smooth. When 

 grown on strong clay it makes a good second-quality white 

 one-year-old, or first-quality two-year-olds, or excellent 

 brown. Shoots, 4 ft. to 7 ft., and a heavy cropper. Plant 

 20 in. by 20 in. 



"The French Osier," first imported from France by Mr. 

 Ellmore, is the best of the viminalis group grown in that 

 country. In the North of France it is greatly prized as a skein 

 rod. Shoots, 4 ft. to 8 ft. Plant 20 in. by 20 in. It should 

 be understood that the term "Osier" is applied exclusively 

 to the varieties of S. viminalis ; thus, "French," described on 

 p. 908, and "French Osier" are quite distinct. 



"Yellow Osier," a fair cropper and invariably smooth, has 

 been observed year after year to escape all attack by fly. The 

 larger sizes make good second-class white, and the full crop 

 excellent brown, when grown on strong upland or meadow 

 clay soil. Shoots, 4 ft. to 7 ft. Plant 20 in. by 20 in. 



"Reed Osier," so called from its great length and straight 

 growth, is, with the "Continental Osier," the most vigorous 

 known; it is most suitable for holding up river banks, for 

 wild-bird coverts, or low, out-of-the-way places. Often 

 reaches a length of 12 ft. in one season. After the heads 

 are well established little attention is necessary, the foliage 

 being dense enough to destroy the vegetable growth under- 

 neath. These two varieties provide the straightest and 

 longest sticks grown, and when left for two or three years' 

 growth command a brisk demand amongst all makers of basket 

 furniture — a business which has developed into a great in- 

 dustry in this country, and which at present seeks its main 

 suppl} r of sticks from Germany. When cut as one-year-olds 

 they make good brown, and supply a larger proportion of 



