The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-07-22
The winow s . rimber-Trea.


Aad there are some trees which are de-
serving of more attention than has yet
been given them in this e0untry The
willows. for instance. have seldom been cul-
tsvated 10 3 large way; and yes there arr
few trees % easily grown. q which will
pay better for cultivation. They adapt
themselves to wide range Of soil and eli
mate. They grow on high ground and GA
grayelly soils not les than by the sides 81
streams. where we most commonly sc them
They are az rapid growth aud yield large
return. The osier-willow Is specially use
full. we know. for the manufacture ~ hask-
ets. chairs. and other articles of furniture,
and We import i % the extent NJ $4,000.
900 annually, when We might produce L
easily In almost any part 81 our country.
We hardly think Of the willow a. timber
tree OF for the production Of lumber. hat
only a. yielding cheap, poor sort Of fuel,
But in England the wood : greatly priEed
for many purposes. While il Is hight II y
also tough; Il does NOT break into slivers
Hardly any wood is 50 good, therefore, for
the Innings Of carts and wagons used in draw
ing stone Of other rough and heavy articles.
II makes excellent chaFcoal, especially for
the manufacture Of gan-powder. Il bears
exposure to the weather, and boards made
Of Il are very seryiceabie for fences, Some
species Of IT are admirable for use As i've
fence or hedge ON account 81 IL eoBn-
parative inc0mbuslibilisy. the willow Is
eminently useful for the floors Of buildings
designed to BE- tire-proof, 1t grpws 70
large size and furnishes great amonnt Of
lumber. There j. a white willow growing
in Stockbridge. Massachusetts, which At
four feet from the ground measures TWEEN
ty-two feet IN circumference and extends
its branches fifty feet IN every direction.
Tradition says it war brought from Cons
necticut in 1907 by Traveller, who used IL
as riding-switch. The Hon Jesse "
Fen. in giving an account of experiments
in tree-planting, on an extensive scale, IN
/ Illinois, eays Wore l called upon "a dss
signate one tree which, more than all others
| would recommend for general planting, i
would say unhesitatingiy II should be the
white willow. Professor Brewer says -
In England, where it Is often sixty or
seventy feet high in twenty years, there Is
no wood in greater demand than good will
low. II is light, very tsalgh, soft, takes a
good finish, viii bear more pounding and
knocks than any other wood grown there,
and hence its use for ericket-bats, for floats
to paddle-wheels Of steamers, and brake.
blocks ON cars 1t is used extensively for
turning, planking coasting vessels, furnpa
ture, OK yokes, wooden legs, shoe-lasts, etc ?
Fuller says, lit groweth incredibly fast
it being a by-word that the profit BY will
lows win buy the owner horse before that
by other trees viii pay for the saddle
The basket-willoK, well cultivated, viii
Weld net income of $3.50 year to the
acre. On the whole, therefore, it would
seem that the various kinds Of willow, the
economic value Of which has been hitherto
entirely overlooked in our country, are
eminently deserving attention, and viii ann
ply reward those who cultivate them.