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LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
branches, though hardly so pendant as the Weeping 
willow. 
The uses of the willow are extremely numerous. Abroad 
it is extensively cultivated in coppices, for timber and fuel, 
for hoops, ties, etc. ; and we are informed, that in the north- 
ern parts of Europe, and throughout the Russian Empire, 
the twigs are employed in manufacturing domestic utensils, 
harness, cables, and even for the houses of the peasantry 
themselves. From the fibres of the bark, it is said that a 
durable cloth is woven by the Tartars ; and the bark is 
used for tanning, in various parts of the eastern continent. 
But by far the most extensive use to which this plant is 
applied, is in the manufacture of baskets. From the earliest 
periods it has been devoted to this purpose, and large plan- 
tations, or osier-fields, as they are called, are devoted to the 
culture of particular kinds for this purpose, both in Europe 
and America. The common Basket willow, an European 
species, (/S', viminalis ,) is the sort usually grown for this 
purpose, but several others are also employed. For the 
culture of the basket willows, a deep, moist, though not 
inundated soil is necessary ; such as is generally found on 
the margins of small streams, or low lands. “ Ropes and 
baskets made from willow twigs, were probably among the 
very earliest manufactures, in countries where these trees 
abound. The Romans used the twigs for binding their 
vines, and tying their reeds in bundles, and made all sorts 
of baskets of them. A crop of willows was considered so 
valuable in the time of Cato, that he ranks the Salictum, or 
willow field, next in value to the vineyard, and the garden. 
(Art. Salix, Arb. Brit.) 
Among us, the European Basket willow is extensively 
cultivated, and very large plantations are to be seen in the 
