The weekly union record., 1865-11-18
The Osier Willow.

By and by, the Pacific Railroad will
be completed. Probably within five
years. Our orchards are gaining age,
are increasing in productiyeness, are
growing in extent and multiplying in
numbers. Vineyards are spreading
alike through valleys and up the hill
sides. The vines and trees that are
being planted are of the choicest varie-
ties. Our unequaled grapes would
command from fifty cents to one dollar
per pound in New York. The common
Bartlett pear-even such as they raise
at the East-brings eight dollars per
barrel in that and other markets. Then
our wines and brandies are already at
tracing attention abroad. As the pro-
duction of these articles increases, and
as We improve in the manufacture, their
fame will become worldwide. But what
has all this to do with osier willows
asks the reader. 1t looks like very
humble thing, it is true, but it is very
important article in commerce. Hun
dreds of thousands-some say even mil
lions-of dollars worth of osier willow
and of osier willow work are yearly i'm
ported into this country from Europe.
The connection which we had in mind
between that article and railroads and
orchards and things, is this: To get
good prices for good articles, they must
be placed in market in good order.
Willow fruit baskets will be lighter,
cheaper, more durable, and better ven
tilated than wooden boxes, and therefore
preferable. The willow basket will be
an essential requisite to putting our
champagne in the European and East
ern States market in the accepted
eshap. In any other guiSe, commerce
would scarcely recognize it. The will
low can be used in the manufacture of
domestic wares, for tying up grape vines
and fruit trees, for which purpose 1t Is
better than twine; and in hundred
different ways it would prove useful. 1t
is on article we shall certainty need.
Why should We import it, either raw or
manufactured, when we can raise it
ourselves, and give our home manufac-
turers the benefit of converting it into
the required forms? This willow will
grow in waste and moist places, COM
paratively useless for other purposes.
1t can be planted on swamp and over
flowed lands, and floods will not kill it.
1t thrives splendidly on the sandy banks
of the American river at Smiths gar
dens, near this city. Can it be raised
with profit ltwould be a more profit
able crop than hay, all things consid
cred, and needs no attention after the
first planting, and each year thereafter
the yield increases to the full capacity
of the land. We need not fear over
stocking the market, for, when the rail
road is completed, the Eastern States
will take our surplus. At the East,
they grow eight or nine feet in length in
a single season. Here they would grow
more, because-without intending pun
they can grow longer. The number
of sprouts taken from single root three
years old, in one season, often reaches
sixty or seventy. The plant is propa
gated by cuttings, which form perma-
nent roots the first year, and yield a
small crop beside. The second and
third years crop will prove remunera-
tive. Let some of our farmers give it a
trial. There will be market ready
for it as soon as it is ready for market.
Sacramento Bee.