The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-12-04
From tho Independent.
BASKET WILLOW.

Knowing that the independent is devoted to
the benefit of mankind temporal as well as
| spiritual, have thought proper to send you n
communication on the growth and culture of
| the Ozier OF Basket Willow.
| This article is in much demand in this coun-
try At least four millions of dollars worth of
| willow is imported annually into the United
States and even this enormous quantity is short
of the demand The willow for basket purposes,
| brooeh from France aud Germany. rs sold ut
from five to six cents per pound weight, or from
500 to Sl20 per ton. There is general i'm
preston that this beautiful and useful shrub
will not do as well here IA in Europe and the
importers discourage persons from attempting
the enterprise of growing it in this country.
But | have fully examined the subject both in
this country and Europe, and am fully convinced
that willow can DO grown here of rs good quality
NJ in any part of the world As proof of this
give the following references: Mcssrs Prince,
Flushing Long Island James Wilson, Esq,
Albany; f. c. Delevan, Esq, Saratoga Mr.
Teller Greenbush N Y; William H. Denning,
Esq, Fishkil Landing, N Y; John Beveridge,
Esq, and Mr. Downing of Newburgh; also DIR.
| Charles w. Grant an eminent dentist, pract-
| cal botanist and horticulturist, of Newburgh,
who has devoted much attention to this sub
ect, and is fully informed on the growth cul-
ture and soil, adapted for the different varie-
ties of willow. He has stocks of English,
French, and German willow, Of very fine quail
tiles
But suppose tho acre of meadow yields two
tons of hay which when cured is worth in
market $40 per ton /; deducting 81 per ton for
harvesting cartng &c. leaves Sc per ton. An
acre of fair land will, if properly planted with
willow, yield ut least one or one and half
TONS costing for cultivation and preparation
for market from S35 to $40 per ton. Allow
$40 per ton for preparing the one and half
tons for market, leaves the snug little sum of
$l20 per acre in favor Of the willow, or $lO4
more than the two tons of hay. -
As to SOIL it should be rich and moist and
the crops should be kept rs clean "A corn,
Many suppose that willow will grow in any
kind of marshes or swamps. This is not cor
rect willow will amply pay for cultivation,
and if it pays, why should it not be taken care
of
Capitalists are ready to invest funds where
over they will yield ten per cent per annum,
while this il business which will yield ten
times that amount Men in England have
made fortunes from this business. The Duke
of Bedford father of Lord John Russell the
proprietor OF Woburn Abbey Bedfordshre, has
more than one thousand acres, including will
low of eighty -three kinds. Thousands OF acres
OF these plants grow on the Moselle, the Po
the Seine the Tagus, the Guadelquiver and
the Douro; on the Thames, Severn, Mersey
and Trent; on the banks Of the enchanting
Shannon and Liify. England, with her thou
sands of acres does not grow sufficient for her
own consumption, but is obliged to rely upon
France for nm immense quantity yearly.
Land intended for willow should be plowed
and subsoilcd, and the cuttings planted slant
ing about eight inches in the ground The
cuttings should be cut about twelve or fourteen
inches long. Ii willow two or three years old
can be had, they make the best plants and will
DAY an interest OF 10 on 20 per cent the year
after planting. DR.. Grant has quantity of
this description, but cannot say whether he
will sell The usual price in England for cut
tings has been from thirty shillings to three
pounds sterling per thousand, depending upon
the variety; this price was for cuttings one
year old for the two and three years old cut
tings the price was higher.
In the event Of some Of your cntcrprisng
Yankee readers taking hold Of this project to
grow the willow, can see no reason why they
should not proftably combine the manufacture
of baskets with the growth of the willow. 1t
may be said the basket-makers in New York
do not get rich II should be borne in mind that
association is one Of the surest means of making
without means, aud for u time they go to
journey-work, earn trihe and then purchase
one or two hundred weight Of willow, make a
few baskets, and are compelled TO sell for what
the storekeepers please to pay for the work
Others, more successful undergo rent oil from
800 to $3.50 for sbOp-rent in basement or
cellar, as well AZ rent for residence; also, the
expense Of light, fire, water, &cy and, aided by
one or two journymen, pay all this expense and
support their families, which think rs dong
we'll Some Of them save money The late
John Reed, of Staten Island twenty or more
wears ago planted about two acres with willow,
supported and educated highly respectable
family, and at his death left considerable prop
| erty
But il basket mandatory was started in a
country place, where the workmen could rent "A
house for $40 or $50 per year, pasture COW