432 BULLETIN OF THE BUSSEY INSTITUTION. 
a road was built on the south side of it, digging down some 4 or 5 
feet, and quite a steep slope was made, the top of which was 
within a few feet of the willows; yet many of the osiers in this 
dry position have continued to grow as well as ever; during 
the past forty years, without cultivation, or the application of 
fertilizers, a yearly growth has been made of from 5 to 7 feet. 
I regret to say that road improvements require the removal of 
this row of trees the present year. Having kept them so long as 
a proof of their adaptability to dry land, I only submit to their 
destruction because it is important for me to do so.* During the 
forty-six years that the Salix purpurea has been grown by me, no 
injury has been caused to the roots or leaves by insects or fungi 
and it has proved to be one of the surest crops the farmer can 
grow, and also a profitable crop where the osiers are in demand 
for the manufacture of baskets and baby carriages, or for barrel 
hoops, nail keg hoops, or binders for boxes. 
That the demand for osiers will rapidly increase, there can be 
but little doubt; and that most of them will be grown in this 
country is equally certain. From statistics published by the U.S. 
Government we learn that willow is quite rapidly taking the place 
of rattan. In the year 1880 the amount of willow manufactures 
in the United States was $1,992,851; in 1890 it was $3,633,592, 
or a gain of about 82 per cent. In the year 1880 the amount of 
rattan manufactures was $526,777; in 1890 it was $682,977, or a 
gain of less than 30 per cent. The amount of willow imported 
was as follows: 
T8B6); Ap eee ae ROK ee 1880 . 5 hoe see 
THER ete oe ees eO 1885... os “see 
1870.8 Dip ates on GOVE OS 1890... >. Se See 
L875 isi bye 84440 
* Since writing the above, the road improvement has been made, and the 
willows removed. While digging the earth from under the willows, it was 
found that a tap-root the shape of a parsnip had grown from each of the 
cuttings set to establish the row of willows; these roots had no fibrous roots 
below the soil, and extended to an unknown depth; one was cut off 6 feet 
below the soil, and found to measure 44 inches in diameter at the top, and 
2 inches at the lower end. The soil under the willows was very much darker 
in color than that on either side, and from 3 to 4 inches deeper; it being 12 
inches deep. Below the soil there was sand with loam enough mixed with it 
to slightly change the color, but not enough to hold the particles of sand to- 
gether when pressed in the hand; under this sand was found a white sand free 
from stones, and fine enough to make good mortar; the depth of this sand is 
unknown, but pipes have been driven down 20 feet without reaching the bottom. 
Water would probably be reached at about 25 feet below the surface. 
