S6o Willows and their Cultivation. [oct., 



Summary of Directions as to Willow Cultivation. 



1. Cuttings should always be used for planting a willow 

 ground. If two-year-old cuttings are used, arrangements 

 should be made twelve months before they are required in 

 order to ensure not only that the requisite sorts are delivered, 

 but that the sets are cut from strong, healthy stock. Some 

 surplus cuttings should also be planted for replacing any 

 sickly or dead heads that may be found in the ground on 

 the following year. Care should be taken in lifting surplus 

 cuttings not to fracture the roots. Failing these, strong, 

 healthy, full-length one-year-old rods may be used for mend- 

 ing the ground. If two-year-old rods are used, they should 

 be cut off at the top of the first year's growth. 



2. After planting, it is of the greatest importance for the 

 first two years that a good loose tilth should be maintained 

 on the top, especially where the soil is strong and liable to 

 crack in a dry period. The rows must be kept clean by hoeing, 

 and so preventing weeds from choking or retarding the growth 

 of the willows. 



3. Willows will not thrive on water-logged land, nor in 

 peat bog, nor in dry soil of a sandy character. The. best soil 

 for a willow ground is a strong loam, in a position where it 

 can be flooded at will, though the land must be well drained 

 to provide against an abnormally rainy season. 



4. In England willows may safely be planted at any time 

 from the end of October to the middle of April, March being, 

 perhaps, the best time if autumn planting is not resorted to. 

 October planting is in all respects equal to spring planting, 

 and allows other work to be done, such as cutting, sorting, 

 and preparing for the cleaning and peeling season. 



5. If possible, employ a good cultivator with which to 

 break up the ground; this is more economical than the ordi- 

 nary digging, and almost as good in its results. This work 

 should be carried out in ample time, to make certain, of the 

 land being in proper condition for the subsequent planting, 

 for if the cuttings are stuck into unbroken clods of soil, success 

 can scarcely be expected to follow. 



The best sorts should be procured, no matter at what cost, 

 for basket willows. The cuttings must be healthy, and not 



