Osier Willow. 19 
the branches, are of a greenish white color, and have a singular 
and pretty appearance. 
Salix Rubra vel Purjiurea, or Red Stemmed Osier. — This attains 
to about the same dimensions as the preceding, and, with the three 
before described, comprises those kinds most extensively used in 
Europe for basket making, and other similar purposes. The 
branches are of a lively red color. This species is much used in 
Europe by coopers for hoops, as the branches split readily. 
Scdix Ca-prcea Variegata, or Variegated Leaved Osier. — This 
forms generally a large shrub, but may be trimmed low for orna- 
ment; its beauty consists in its foliage, which is prettily varie- 
gated; the blossoms are large, yellow, and much sought after by 
bees, as they expand very early in the season. In England the 
green leaved variety is the most generally cultivated, and is called 
the Sallow. 
Salix Jicutifolia, or Violet Twigged Osier. — This forms a shrub 
only; its branches are very flexible, the bark of a violet hue and 
powdered. This is one of the best Osiers for general use, and it, 
as well as the preceding, will grow well in hard and chalky soils. 
The preceding comprise the species of Osiers most esteemed by 
basket makers, coopers, &c., in Europe. There are also several 
American species whose merits have been commented on by dif- 
ferent writers, and which are doubtless fully equal in their gene- 
ral merits. 
The Osiers generally are natives of moist soils, and they are 
usually cultivated in such situations, and often form the outside 
boundary of wet meadows, being planted along the ditches that 
are made to drain off the superfluous waters. They thus occupy 
space of little value, but well calculated to make them yield a 
great profit, by their abundant shoots. The immense expanse of 
meadows between New York and Newark, which some enterpris- 
ing gentlemen have been long engaged in reclaiming, might, 
without further expense, be appropriated to this object, and there- 
by furnish the means for extensive manufactories of basket work 
to a degree more than adequate to supply the city. It is a matter 
of astonishment, when such quantities of articles of this descrip- 
