Nebraska advertiser., 1856-11-01
Department.
Tromt he County Gentleman.
u 1AeKET WTLLOW.


MEssRs. ED1ToRs:-Inth the fscalyear
ending June goth, 1855, there was
imported into the United States,
$l32,658 worth of foreign manufac-
cured willow wares, such as baskets,
cradles, childrens' carriages, &C.; also
S45,459 worth Of the raw or manufac-
tured willow, making, in the aggregate
the round sum Of S178,117.
How far it may be for the interests
of this country to grow its W willow,
and manufacture its own supply, are
questions in political economy that
shouldbe fairly and candidly discussed.
The subject has excited considerable
enquiry of late years, and much has
been published in the agricultural
journals upon the subject. Many
persons have written upon the willow
culture, who, doubtless, were not well
posted up in the matter.
The best essay I have read upon the
subject, was written by John Fleming,
ESQ, Of Sherburne, Mass, published
in the Transactions of the Ag. Society,
Norfolk Co., Mass, 1852. Mr.. Flem-
ing is largely interested in the culture
and manufacture of the basket willow,
and is familiar with the subject in all
It's branches. The length Of the essay
must preclude the republication of it
in this paper. At the time Mr.. Elem
ing wrote his essay, he was about pub
fishing a "Treatise on the Culture and
Harvesting Of Basket Willow" which
it is presumed he has done, although
have not seen any notice Of it. If
published, I think it would be well for
all to obtain a copy of the work before
entering largely into the culture of
the willow. IF the work has not been
published, I would refer them to his
Norfolk county essay.
In the year 1916 Nj. F. commenced,
and is now connected with the largest
willow-ware manufactory in the United
States. They purchase and work up
more willow than any other person or
company in these States, and have,
therefore, had an excellent opportunity
20 learn what is the best willow used
in this country, and what is the pros
pect both for the cultivator and con-
sumer of the article. Mr.. F. says:
sFor more than twenty years Ihave
been engaged in cultivating willow,
in preparing it for use, and in manu-
featuring it into ware. Of this time,
about eight years have been devoted to
improvements in the culture and man
ufacture of itin America. Previously
lived in my native country, England.
The result of my experiments there
and here, and the knowledge | have
had from my father and grandfather,
n7the same businesssfor at least fifty
years, I consider sufficient to justify
me55in saying that / fear 10 contradic-
ton to the statements I have now made
nor any haunting remarks from the i'm
porters of foreign willow.
s'The importer Of foreign willow has
said, repeatedly, that the plant cannO
be qroaOn here to perfection. But Lear
show him the living willow, that is pre-
ferred by the best manufacturers anc
the best workmen in this country, AM
which bringsSthe highest price paid il
the market"
We can grow the best of Indian corr
in this country, and alta profit too; bu
in order to do this, the farmer mus
select for it a 'cOngenial soil, and wei
understand and practice the right cul
ture in order to produce the desires
result. Just so in regard to the sue
cessful and profitable culture of tn
basket willow. L. BARTLETT.
Warner, ~. Il.