The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-09-08
Cultivate the willow.

Cultivate the willow.
rhara are many special crops which
..,;,rb, be profitably grown in this country.
aays the Philadelphia Record. ana which
80 beeu entirely neglected, or at least to
that extent which nearly amounts to neglect
For many years we have depsnded upon
,oraiqn countries for our supply of basket
,villow. and some idea of the extent OF the
demand for this simple article or variety of
-,,,od can be CLEANED from the fact that
,a.rlv 100000 900 worth is annually i'm
,,ortad into the United States from Great
Rritain. Belgium, Holland and France
Erono Holland, however, comes the largest
s,,nnlv and. as rule, the best and most
accountable quality, the climate and the
numerous dykes. on the borders of which it
Aourishes finely, being especially adapted to
us successful growth, while experience has
Taught the Hollanders how to prepare it so
as 70 best meet the wishes Of manufacturers
here.
There is no just reason why we cannot
raadily 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 croft in its growth for market is
economically true One of the greatest
items in its favor Is that it grows best on
s1cb spots or lands as cannot probably be
utilized for other crops on account OF the
excessive and constant moisture, but
meadows and the banks of slow aud 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
hetutifv or hide what would otherwise be
unsightiy spots on the farm. 1t grows over
q wide range of latitude and temperature.
and is found in variety in nearly every state
in our union especially the black willow,
which is grown as an ornamental tree and
as shelter and wind-break. This variety,
however, is not the sort used in basket max
ing 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 eli
mates the 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 delight
in cool, moist or wet soil, and ON lands
bordering on streams, it will readily root
and grow in almost any locality, even on
upland, aud is not at all particular as to the
quality or richness of the soil, although
where it is planted the osier) for profit
such localities as are best suited to its sue
cessful growth should be selected, SO as to
produce a quick, strong growth and an
abundance of such shoots as find greatest
favor with purchasers. Aside from its
value as an ornamental tree, as a wind
break and for basket making and like uses,
its value by no means ceases there, for its
lghtness, toughness and elasticity fit it for
OIL 70 xsyhi nh
put more largely if the supply from domes-
tic sources could be depended on. In max
ing OK yokes it is especially priced, as it is
less than half the weight of the hard woods
so frequently used, ana this with no decrease
of strength or durability, while it is more
extensively used by furniture manufacturers
than many persons imagine, it being wood
which Will partake OF a magnificent 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 quanti-
ties made from this wood, while tanners call
for its bark for their uses, the bard contain
ing 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 num-
bers of shoots. The willow is readily pro-
pagated by cuttings, which are either set
out and then transplanted when they are
well rooted to the spot where they are ln-
tended to grow, or else couple of shoots
ABOUT foot or so in length set out right
where they are intended to remain, as the
root quickly and seldom fails to grow. If
Doth OF the shoots grow, ona can be removed
10 another place, as one is enough to re-
main. Let 1t grow all it will the first sea-
son, and IN the late fall cut it back, and the
following year you will get a good growth.
Wnen the cutting back can be repeated. TIE
tnlrd season you can, if the plantation has
oeen properly handled, harvest your first
crop, and thereafter for many wears az the
willow Is long-lived and will produce in
creaslng crops every year. 1t will be found
10 oflng In very acceptable crop of money
each year, and from laud that would othsr-
wise be worse than useless. The exnepsa NJ
startlng and maintaining a plantation of
we oSler o. basket willow is trifing. and is
not at all felt: 1t requires no cultivation
ana Out little to keep the trees, so-caIled
- ~ proper Trim, the greatest amount Of time
peIhg expended In harvesting and preDarinp
tne shoots for market In doing tins the
park Is quickly and thoroughly stripped
iuiii the shoots by means of an improyised
naCcnei attached to bench This hatch
made IN several different shapes. the one
most readily used being series of dull Y
snapeo teeth in double frame, the upper
V t1 being loose and movable, to give with
s1o sarylIg size OF the piece and pieces. and
W. NY ITO ~ 1nJure the appearance of the
~ood. The shoots are then seasoned cera
oelng taken not 10 injure the white color so
r niucn desired, when they are assorted into
o %zes ana put into bundles and bales and
ssdIppeo 10 dealers in such goods in orr dir
Ierent large cities.