9H 



Varieties of Willows. 



[FEB., 



very profitable crop each year. It was not damaged by the 

 cattle eating the shoots. This variety invariably grows quite 

 smoothly, thrives equally well under dry or wet conditions, 

 and has never been known to take the blight. Shoots, 3 ft. 

 to 7 ft. Plant 18 in. by 18 in. Makes a good light-colour 

 buff, or brown. For binding purposes (as used by nursery- 

 men) this is the best and toughest willow grown, and a 

 certain cropper. 



" Welch." This was a variety supplied by the U.S.A. 

 Government in March, 1910, at which time it certainly differed 

 from the above in the outward appearance of its bark; but, 

 after being planted for eighteen months, the apparent differ- 

 ence, as in so many other instances, promises entirely to 

 disappear. Shoots, 3 ft. to 7 ft. Plant 18 in. by 18 in. 



"Pyramidalis " is a tall, slender rod, sent to Mr. Ellmore 

 from Germany as one of their best, and classed by a German 

 botanist of repute as purpurea — a doubtful classification, 

 since it makes a good-colour white, which no English pur- 

 purea will do. Plant 20 in. by 20 in. Shoots, 5 ft. to 8 ft. 



The three following sorts, viz., "Lumley," "Patent 

 Lumley," and " American Green," were supplied by the U.S.A. 

 Forestry Department in March, 1910, and are stated to be 

 the best suited to Transatlantic climatic conditions. They 

 gave in 191 1 a growth of 4 ft. to 6 ft. under a very dry and 

 trying season, and have escaped the green fly, with which 

 the adjoining varieties were badly troubled, owing to drought. 

 They are good croppers and hardy, but their value as white 

 or buff is doubtful. 



The variety known as "Africans," is the best of two kinds 

 largely imported into England. It does not make the same 

 long growth as in its native country. A rich alluvial clay 

 is suitable. Shoots, 4 ft. to 7 ft., at Loughborough; 4 ft. to 

 10 ft. in its native climate. A very suitable and excellent 

 willow for warm, humid places. Plant 20 in. by 20 in. 



Salix alba var. vitellina. — The variety known as "Golden 

 Willow " is one of the toughest willows grown if used with the 

 bark on in a green state. It is chiefly sold for tie-rods to 

 market gardeners, for which there is a most active demand at 

 Covent Garden, Spitalfields, and in market-gardening districts 

 generally. Strong, damp, rich soil is required. Shoots, 



