80 
BLACK WILLOW. 
in a posture more wild and picturesque than beautiful. 
It has a dark coloured rough bark, and the branches 
are brittle at the base; the male catkins coming out 
with the leaves are very elegant, and attractive and 
useful to beCs. In the southern parts of the Union, 
according to Mr. Elliott, the stems when found suffi- 
ciently large are employed for the timbers of boats, and 
are found to be light and durable. 
The White W illow, (Salix alba, Linn.,) appears 
almost naturalized in many parts of the United States. 
It is particularly abundant in the western interior of 
New Jersey along the borders of the Walkill. It grows 
rapidly, becoming a stout tree in a few years, and in 
Europe it is considered the most valuable timber tree of 
the genus; it produces a white close-grained wood, 
capable of receiving a polish, it also affords fence-wood, 
fuel, and bark for the tanner, nearly as good as that of 
the Oak. 
The uses of Willows and Willow-wood in Europe are 
very numerous. It is generally a close fine-grained 
white wood, capable of taking a smooth and equal 
polish, and remarkably light withal. The osiers are 
very extensively used for all kinds of basket-work, and, 
as Virgil remarks, the shepherd sits beneath its shade, 
while it affords fence for his field, browsing for his 
flock, and honey for the bees, — 
“Salices, humilesque genistse, 
Aut illse pecori frondem, aut pastoribus umbram 
Sufficiunt, sepemque satis et pabula nielli.” 
Georgicon, ii. 
