The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1890-08-25
Che Sntelliocntft
! Nos. 20 and ~ Fourteenth Street.
CULTIVATE THE WILLOW.
a Profitable Crop that Requires Little Care
and tselran sunr,.

80" "y epsSiai Siopb WIFI
might be grown in this country, IN,
which have been entirely neglected, o
at least TO that extent which nearl
amounts to neglect. For many years W
have depended upon foreign countrie
Tor II supply OF basket willow, an,
somc idea OF tho extent of tho deman'
Tor this eimple article can be pleane,
from the fact that nearly $4,000, 90
worth Is annually imported into tn
United States from Great Britain, Bel
elunl, Holland and Franco. From Hol
land, however, comes the largest suppl
ana, rs n rule, tho best and most accept
able quality, the climate and tho nh
merous tdykes on the borders Of whicl
1t ilourishes finely, being especial,
adapted to lite successful growth, Will,
experience has taught the Hollander
how to prepare It 30 as TO best meet tn
wishes OF manufacturers here.
There 10 no just reason why We can
not readily produce all that eau posi-
bly, be called for In this country, and d,
so probably to the grower, for thai
there ia considerable profit in It's prowtl
for market is undoubtedly true. Ono O
the greatest items in Its favor is that j,
grows best on such spots or lands rs
cannot prolitably be utilized for Other
crops on account OF the excessive and
constant moisture, but meadows and
the banks OF slow and shallow streams
being best adapted for its rapid and
healthy growth. 1t Ia also, in such local.
tiles, m admirable wind.break, whilo it
serves to beautify or hide what would
otherwise be u~nsightly spots on the
iarm. 1t grows over a wide range
Of latitude and temperature, aud
ia found in variety in nearly every State
In II Union, especially the black viii.
low, which IL grown az IN ornamental
tree, and as q shelter and wind break.
This variety, however, is not the sort
used in basket making and kindred
work, and 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 sue
cor, thus producing wood OF the size and
form most desired. In severely cold
climates the rapid growth of the black
willow is used, rs before stated, as a pro.
lection to stock from the bleak and cut.
ting blasts which prevail IN some local
tiles 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 read.
lily root and grow in almost any locality,
even on upland, nndis not at all particu.
lar as to the quality or richness OF the
soil, although where it is planted-the
osier-for profit such localities as are
bestsniled to its successful growth should
be selected, 30 as TO produce a quick,
strong growth and an abundance ofsuch
shoots as find greatest favor with pur.
chasers. Aside from its value as an or.
hamental tree, as a wind break and for
basket-makipg and like uses, its value
by no means ceases there, for it's light
ness, toughness and elasticity fit it for
numerous other uRes, to which
it would be put more largely il
the supply from domestic sources could
be depended on. In making OK yokes
it is especially priced, as it is less han
half the weight OF the hard woods so
frequently used, and this with no de-
Crease OF strength or durability, while it
is more extensively used by furniture
manufacturers than many persons im-
agine, it being q wood which will par
take Of q magnificent finish on account
OF its closeness and evenness OF grain,
and so tough as to stand rough usage
almost indefinitely. The manufacturers
OF gunpowdcr use the charcoal in large
quantities made from this wood, while
tanners call for its bark for their use, the
bark containing large quantities OF tam
MIC acid, and the sprouts are utilized by
the basket.makers, go all is made good
and profitable use OF, unless it be, per-
haps, the leaves.
In growing the willow principally for
the basket-makers' uses, it should be the
object to encourage the production OF
large numbers OF shoots. The willow is
readily propsgated by cuttings, which
are either set cut and then transplanted
when they are well rooted to the spot
where they are intended to grow, or else
a couple Of shoots about a foot or 30 in
length set out right where they are in
tended to remain, as the root quickly and
seldom fails to grow. II both Of the
shoots grow one can be removed to an.
other 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 fol.
lowing year you will get a good growth,
when the cutting back Cal be repeated.
The third season you can, il the planta.
ton has been properly handled, harvest
your first crop, and thereafter for many
years, as the willow is long.liyed and
will produce increasing crops every year.
1t will DO found 10 bring in o very
acceptable crop OF money each year, and
from land which would otherwise be
worse than useless. The expense OF
starting and maintaining a plantation OF
the osier or basket willow is tritiing, and
is not at all felt. 1t requires no cultiya-
lion and but little to keep the trees, 30.
called, in proper trim, the greatest
amount Of time being expended in har-
vesting and preparing the shoots for
market. In doing this the bark is quick
ly and thoroughly stripped FROM the
shoots By means Of an improyised hatch.
ct attached 10 a bench. This hatchel is
made in several different shapes, the
one most readily used, being u series OF
dull V.shaped teeth in a double frame,
the upper one being loose and movable,
to give with the varying size OF the piece
ami pieces, and so as not to %injure the
appearance OF the wood. The shoots are
then seasoned, care being taken not to
ipjure the white color 80 much desired,
when they are assorted into sizes and
put into bundles ind bales and shipped
10 dealers in such goods in our different
large cities.