44 BULLETIX 316, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGEICULTUEE. 
effective in the improvement of the landscape. Throughout the North 
the black willow is a smaller tree than the white or crack willow, 
and for this reason inferior to them. As a tree for planting it is not 
recommended except in places where the main consideration is the 
protection to be afforded, rather than the material produced. Under 
these conditions the black willow is very desirable, as it can usually be 
secured in the vicinity at little cost. 
In the South the same recommendations hold good except for 
black willow. The lower Mississippi Valley is the region of best 
development of this species, and its rapid growth and large size make 
it doubtful whether either crack or white willow would be superior to 
it. No records of the growth of crack or white willow in the region 
are available, and until they are preference should be given in plant- 
ing to the black willow, at least on bottom land. 
CUTTINGS. 
MATERIAL. 
Willows are more easily planted than any of the other commercial 
tree species of the United States. This is due to the fact that cuttings 
can be gathered and planted as cheaply as seed of most species, and 
the first year's growth of cuttings is equal in vigor to that of 1-year- 
old seedlings. As compared with 1 -year-old seedlings, cuttings are 
much less expensive. Cottonwood can also be propagated by cut- 
tings, but they are generally less easily secured wild, are more expen- 
sive if purchased, and unless rooted or calloused suffer a much greater 
mortality when planted. Under unfavorable conditions uncalloused 
willow cuttings will start where cotton wood fails completely. Willow 
cuttings can be obtained for $1 to $1.50 per thousand. When large 
quantities of cuttings are desired and there is no particular hurry 
about getting them planted, a few cuttings planted in a row in the 
garden will supply the necessary planting material. The Forest 
Service furnishes a list of dealers from whom willow cuttings may be 
purchased. 
SIZE OF CUTTINGS. 
The cuttings should be obtained from healthy, vigorous plants, the 
size of the cutting depending upon the kind of crop desired and the 
conditions under which it is to be grown. If the plants must establish 
themselves in competition with other species, such as scrubby willows, 
the cuttings should be larger than where the plantation is to receive 
cultivation. In open spaces, especially those which can be cultivated 
for a year or two, cuttings of a foot in length can be used to advan- 
tage, and these after the first or second year will be abundantly able 
to take care of themselves, although cultivation for a longer period, 
if it could be done economically, would increase the growth consider- 
