The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1863-03-05
(Ad,c.t hent)
white or Grey Holland Willow
Fencing.

public generally that they are now ready
10 furnish ut wholesale or retail, IN amy
quantity to suit purchasers.
We believe that this willow is not
fully appreciated among the prairie far
mcls. For Fencing it IS moe durable,
being perfectly hardy III oHr northern
climate, yet it grows equally well IN the
south. Making a perfect fence IN from
three to five years not only against st"' X
bu, against the high winds which SO
often destroy our fine crops just before
we are ready to thrust IN the sickle. Il
is never blown down, never has to be
rcbuilt--oncc fence always fence.
The question is often asked, What bet
Ter is it than any other timber? To that
intcrrogatory we would say,
First, II will never sprout or grow
from The root; the farmers can pillow rs
close to it as he can to post and rail
fence.
Second, It grows faster thsn any
other timber known, growing six inches
through from small cutting III three
years. We have samples grown with
ont cultivation showing grains OF an inch
and a half in one year.
Third, It Will stand crow ing c'osrr
together than any other timber, the
trees growing into each other lnr solid
together, as some term ii). There IS
no other timber bnt what will die out
by crowt'ing close enough to make it a
fence.
It's equally - good for wind break
or ~ ans other timber, aud more beau
titul. The timber Of tbs willow is also
very durable. 1t makes excellent post
and rail-. they bcin. rs Ia able as Cedar
7, has been used tor many years in Eu
rope for the manufacture Of fine articles.
and also for Lining to wells and stable
Il .n,s. where il is considered moro dur.
able than "dea." 1t is also capable OF
receiving a high polish. 1t is valuable
to prairie farmers for fire wood. After
five or six years it may be cut of -four
Or five feet high without injury to the
fence. Thus mile of this fence will
supply ono fire with but little cost. 1t
makes quick, hot fire. 1t is worth
cul,lvating for this alone. 1t is alsosa
fine thing to put aroun orc''a"ds and
fruit gardens, protecting them from the
cob; blasts Of winter and the heavy
winds OF summer viii III 50 often blow
down and destroy 50 much Of our frui,
every year.
There are many miles Of this fence
IN o:.slc and Lee counties. H.. which we
have seen an. examined. The most
noticeable Of this fence in O..le county
i hat IL NJ: Edward Gladly, near Lane
Stof.np I9n l.,S {,,., i
three year old frncc and some that hr
had set last spring Wv" were there the
first Of Seinp' ember. lS63). We took a
tape line AMI measured The height Of
the fence. That three years old me,
Snrca 20 feet 81 inches high and Isl
inches in circumference: that two wears
old measured 8 feet Il in hes high
and lob inc'.ns in circumference th3'
on" year oil measured Is feet | inches
high and 10 inches in circumference !:
he spring setting was 10 tee. hi.fh Mf
Cady has over two miles Of this fence
on his farm. The difference was plain
between Mr.. Caay's crops anl those q.
his ncighbors who had not Got the Wi
l"w fence. Mr.. C.'s grain stood crc:l
and ready for the reaper, while that of
his nclghbors who had common fences
was so blown down that it cotihl ONLY
he gathered with the scythe. lie tells
Us that part Of his wheat went twenty
six bushels 70 the acre, which is more
than treble the average yield Of the
county.
The oldest Willow fence that we saw
was that of w. L. Smith. of
Willow Creek, Ice Co f!c has about
two miles Of this fence. section of
which is nine years old. 1t is perfect
solid fence, the Trees having grown to-
gcther to height of three or four feet.
Mr. Smith tells us that he raises at
least one third more corn to the acre
along this fence than he can thirty or
forty rods from it.-This fence keeping
the cool breeze out, the sun throws ia
rays down with great effect so that it
gives a forced growth to vegetation.
The tame grass stood full five feet high
wlthl one yard Of the fence. Mr..
Smith has fine three year old fence
around lis orchard, which he said lie
would not have removed for ten dollars
per rod ard do without it. He saws
there IS no humbug abont them, as he
has had ten years experience with them.
and knows they are good thing. They
are what every prairie farmer wants
and will have as they find ont what they
are. Mr.. Weson Hol,on, Of Willow
Greek. has 4 fine three year old fence
around his orchard giving perfect pro-
lection to his young aud thrifty trees.
Mr. Andrew Stubs, Of Paw Paw Grove
Ice county, Ills., has a piece Of this
fence along side the road which, lie
turned out at two years old with one
wire strung beside it on posts six or
eight rods apart. He told US that he
had seen stock try it, but never had
cot through. This is the first that we
saw that turned stock at two years old.
We give the above references that all
who wish may write and find out for
themselves. We could give plenty
more of the same, bnt we deem these