46 BULLETIN 316, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
shoots. The reason for this is that on 2-year-old sprouts there are 
frequent buds ready to start growth at once, while on older wood the 
buds and shoots must start after the cutting has been planted and 
the growing season has commenced. Another advantage of the young 
sprout is that it is generally free from branches and thus easier to 
prepare and plant. Under less favorable conditions it is necessary 
to use cuttings from 2 to 5 years old. When it is known that willow 
cuttings are to be used the following year, it is a good plan to cut off 
limbs of small trees the year before in order that suitable material 
for planting may be produced. A little forethought in this matter 
will often make the purchase of material from dealers unnecessary, 
although the grower should make sure that he is planting the right 
species. 
TIME AND METHOD OF MAKING CUTTINGS. 
The cuttings can be prepared any time after the wood is well 
ripened in the fall, but in the Northern States the best time is in 
February, as this gives the cuttings a chance to callous before being 
set out and at the same time does not necessitate leaving them in 
storage long enough to become damaged. Cutting can be done with 
a large knife, a hatchet, a saw and miter box, or with large pruning 
shears. The cutting should be made smooth and clean. The small 
saw and miter box is a very rapid method but is likely to tear 
the bark from the wood, thus injuring the cutting. With a large 
pruner several sprouts can be cut at once without crushing the bark 
unless the sprouts are resting on top of each other. In the prepara- 
tion of larger cuttings an ax or saw must be employed. The ax is 
preferable. It is best to plant large cuttings as soon as prepared, 
as they are not easily stored. 
STORAGE AND SHIPMENT. 
It is often advisable to prepare cuttings a considerable length of 
time before they can be planted. In such a case it is necessary to 
provide a suitable place for storing them. A cool dark cellar is ideal 
for this purpose, since at all times of the year growth is less likely to 
start there than in other places. The cuttings should be buried in 
an upright position (the buds pointing upward) in moist sand. Moist 
earth can be used, but it is not so satisfactory as sand. When no 
other place is available, cuttings can be heeled-in in pits in the open. 
The top of the pit should always be covered. Cuttings stored in this 
manner are likely to start early in the spring, and for this reason they 
should be carefully watched. 
METHOD OF PLANTING. 
In establishing a plantation of willows the amount of preparation 
to be bestowed upon the land is dependent upon its condition. 
Land well situated and free from other woody plants and rocks should 
