Willov)s and tli6ir Cultivation. 
249 
grown Vegetables and other produce for human consumption 
has given occasion for the suggestion of new methods of utilis- 
ing land irrigated by sewage. The Willow lends itself admi- 
rably to this method of cultivation. Upon a ‘ farm ’ of this 
nature which I have recently inspected the beds are laid out 
in flats. The inlet for the sewage is arranged with flood-gates 
regulating the flow and also the direction of the stream, the 
sewage being thus turned on alternately to the different sides 
of the quarters through broad diverting channels. In the first 
tolerably wide open channel there are “ weirs ” or “ locks,” 
arranged so that the solid matter is retained before the smaller 
channels which are cut between the beds are reached. The 
surfaces of the beds are not saturated, but the water level is 
maintained some few inches below the surface level. The 
channels or open gutters, however, keep the subsoil in a state 
of moisture, and this is so regulated as to be beneficial to the 
growth of the plants without injuring their vitality. There is 
no odour, no appearance of filth, and at the point where the 
outflow is arranged, the water, having passed this so far natural 
process of filtration, flows away without serious discoloration and 
with no trace of odour. Many Local Boards have adopted some 
such plan for the right disposal of the sewage of the districts 
under their control, and this seems a common-sense solution of 
a troublesome and difficult sanitary problem. 
Conclusion. 
In writing upon Willows and Basketwork and the different 
phases of this fertile industry we may call to mind that we are deal- 
ing with a subject of ancient interest and importance. Mr. Leo. 
Grindon 1 remarks that we may form some idea as to how long 
basket-making from osiers has been practised in our island by 
the fact that the word “ basket ” is, with a trifling differ- 
ence in the spelling, the very same that was used here two 
thousand years ago. The shields and the coracles of the ancient 
Britons were also made of wicker — osier-work having apparently 
been with this rude and simple people just what papyrus work 
Was with the ancient Egyptians. 
It has been pointed out that the osier industry has not 
thriven and extended as it might have done of late years, on 
account of cane and other pliant woods and fibres being largely 
used for purposes which otherwise would have made demands 
upon the willow. Boxes and barrels have been largely used for 
1 The Trees of Old England. By Leo. H. Grindon. 1870 Ed. 
