Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-08-30
Farm and ORCHARD.
THE WILLOW A PROFITABLE CROP TO
GROW IN CALIFORNIA.
Rigid Economy Necessary in Reducing
Expenses on the Farm-Fruit Trees
in Grass-General Farm Notes.

~e-S -
in Grass-Generai Farm Notes.
There are many special crops which
might be pro6tably grown in this country
and which have been entirely neglected
or at least to that extent which nearly
amounts to neglect. For many years We
have depended upon foreign countries fol-
our supply of basket willow, and some idea
of the extent of the demand for this sim.
pie article or variety of wood can be
cleaned from the fact that nearly $4,000
600 worth is annually imported into the
United States from Great Britain, Bel
GUM, Holland and France. From Hol-
| land, however, comes the largest supply,
and, as rule, the best and most acceptable
quality, the climate and the numerous
dykes, on the borders of which it -four.
ishes finely, being especially adapted to its
successful growth, while experience has
taught the Hollanders how to prepare it
so as to best meet the wishes of manufact-
urers here.
There is no just reason why we cannot
readily produce all that can possibly be
called for in this country, and do so profit
ably to the grower, for that there is consid-
cradle profit in its growth for market is
undoubtedly true. One of the greatest
items in its favor is that it grows best on
such spots or lands as cannot pro6tably be
utilized for other crops, on account of the
excessive ard constant moisture, but mead
ows and banks of slow and shallow streams
being best adapted for its rapid and healthy
growth. 1t is also, in such localities, an
admirable wind-break, while it serves to
beautify or hide what would otherwise be
unsightly spots on the farm. 1t grows
over wide range of latitude and tempera-
ture, and is found in variety in nearly
every State in our Union, especially the
black willow, which grows as an orna-
mental tree, and as shelter and wind
break. This variety is not the sort used
in basket-making and in kindred work, the
true osier willow being the only kind
which can thus be used, on account Of its
light color, its strength and elasticity, and
its tendency to succor, thus producing
wood of the size and form most desired
In severely cold climates the rapid growth.
of the black willow is used, as before
stated, as protection to stock from the
bleak and cutting blasts which prevail in
some localities nearly the entire winter,
its rapid and dense growth soon affording
the necessary protection
While all varieties of the willow de-
light in a cool, moist or wet soil and on
lands bordering on streams, it will readily
root and grow in almost any locality, even
on upland, and is not at all particular as
to the quality or richness of the soil. al
though where it is planted-the osier-for
profit such localities as are best suited to
its successful growth should be selected, so
as to produce quick, strong growth and
an abundance of such shoots as find great
est favor with purchasers. Aside from its
value as an ornamental tree, as wind
break and for basket-making and like uses,
its value by no means ceases there, for its
lightness, toughness and elasticity fit it for
numerous other uses, to which it would be
put more largely if the supply from do
nestle sources could be depended on. In
making OK Jokes it is especially priced, as
it is less than half the weight of the hard
woods SO frequently used, and this with no
decrease of strength or durability, while it
is more extensively used by furniture
workers than many people imagine, it
being wood which will partake of mag
nifcent finish on account of its closeness
and evenness of grain, and so tough as to
stand rough usage almost indefinitely.
The manufacturers of gunpowder use the
charcoal in large quantities made from
this wood, while tanners call for its bark
for their uses, the bark containing large !
quantities of fannie acid, and the sprouts
are utilized by the basket-makers, so all is
made good and profitable use OF, unless it
be, perhaps, the leaves.
In growing the willow principally for
the basket-makers' uses, it should be the
object to encourage the production of large
of shoots. The willow is readily
by cuttings, which are either
set out and then transplanted when they
are well rooted to the spot where they are
intended to grow, or else couple of shoots
about foot or so in length set out right
where they are intended to remain, as they
root quickly and seldom fail to grow. If
both of the shoots grow one can be re-
moved to another place, as one is enough
to remain. Let it grow all it will the
first season, and in the late fall cut it
back, and the following year you will get
a good growth, when the cutting back can
be repeated. The third season you can, if
the plantation has been properly handled,
harvest your first crop, and thereafter for
many years, as the willow is long-lived
and will produce increasing crops every
year. 1t will be found to bring in very
acceptable crop of money each year, and
from land which would otherwise be
worse than useless.
The expense of starting and maintain
ing plantation of the osier or basket
willow is trifing and is not at all felt. 1t
requires no cultivation and but little to l
keep the trees, so called, in proper trim,
the greatest amount of time being ex
pended in harvesting and preparing the
shoots for market. In doing this the bark
is quickly and thoroughly stripped from
the shoots by means of an improyised
hatchel attached to bench This hatehel
is made in several different shapes, the one
most readily used being series of dull
V-shaped teeth in a double frame, the up
per one being loose and movable, to give
with the varying size of the piece or
pieces, and so as not to injure the appear
ance of the wood The shoots are then
seasoned, care being taken not to injure
the white color so much desired, when
they are assorted into sizes and put
into bundles and bales and shipped to
dealers in such goods in our different large
Philadelphia Record.
ECONOMY ON THE FARM.
The profit derived is that sum left over
from the gross receipts after all the ex-
penses have been deducted, and the more
economy practiced the smaller the ex-
penses, and consequently there is a cor
respondingly larger profit. There are
seasons of the year when it is difficult to