The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-08-24
CULTIVATE THE WILLOW.
\ Profitable Crop that Requires Little
Care and UscIcss Space.

Care and Usclcss Space.
There are many special crops which
might he probably grown in this country,
and which have been entirely Neglected, oil
At least TO that extent which nearly amounts
10 neglect. For many years we have de-
pended upon foreign countries for our sup
! ply OF basket willow, and some idea of the
extent OF the demand for this simple article
or variety of wood, can be CLEANED from the
fact that nearly 81 .OOo, 900 worth is annually
/ imported into the United States from Great
Britain. Belgium. Holland, aud France.
From Holland, however, comes the largest
/ supply, and. "a rule, the best and most
acceptable quality, The climate and tie nii-
merous dykes, ON the borders Of which II
hourishcs finely, being especially adapted
\ 10 It's successful growth, while experience
has taught the iIollanders how TO prepare
IL 80 as to best meet inc wishes of manu-
iac'u,ors here.
/ There il no Just reason why we cannot
readily produce all that can possibly be
called for in this country, and do so prOht-
/ ably TO the grower, for that there il cOnsids
/ cradle profit I'm It's growth fer market is in-
doubleday true. One ~ the gr"aiesti iei'is III
! its favor is thai y g'ows hest on such spots
OF iands Oyannot probably be utilized for
other crops, on account OF the excessive and
l constant MNlSlbIt, Dul lI'duoNS ih'
/ banks Of low and shallow streams being
best adapted for its rapid and healthy
| growth. II j. also in such localities, an
admirable wind.break, while u serves tO
beautiiN or hide what would Otherwise Dp
unsighty spots on the farm. 10 grows over a
wide rang Of latitude and temperature. and
Is found in variety in nearly every Stale IN
our Mon, especially the black willow.
which is grown as an ornamental tree, ana
as a shelter and wind break. This variety.
however is not the sort used in basket
making. and in kindred work. the true Osier
willow being the only kind which can thus
be uec,i, on account of its light color its
strength and elasticity, and its tendency 10
succOr thus producing wood Ct the size
and form most desired. I'm severely cold
climates the rapid growth Of the black will
lOw is used. a. before stated, as prOtec-
tion 10 stock from the bleak and cutting
blasts which prevail IN some localities
nearly the entire winter, its rapid ana dense
growth soon ail0fdins the necessary pro-
lection.
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, and is not mt all particular as 10 the
quality or richness of the soil, although
where il is planted the Osier-f0r profit
such localities as are best suited TO ITS sue
cessful growth should be selected, 20 as to
produce qu.ck, strong growth, and an
abundance Of such shoots as find greatest
favor with purchasers. Aside from lis
value as an ornamental tree, aa wind
break. and for discriminating and for like
uses, its value by no means ceases there
for its lightness. tOughness, and elasticity
tic it for numerous other uses, to which
it would be put more largely II
the supply from domestic sources could be
depended on. In making OK yOkes 1t IS es-
pecially 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 bv furniture manufacturers than many
persons imagine, it being a wood which Will
partake of a magnificent finish ON account
Of it,, clOsencss and cyenness of grain, ana
so tough as TO stand rough usage almost III
definitely. The manufacturers of gunp0W-
der 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,
80 all is made good and profitable use OF.
unless it be, perhaps, the leaves.
I'm growing the willow principally for
the basket-makers uses, it should be the
object 10 encourage the production OF large
numbers Of shoots. The willow is readily
propagatcd by cuttings (which are either set
out and then transplanted when they are
well rooted to the spot where they are
intended 10 grow, or else a couple Of shoots
about foot or so in length set out right
where they are intended to remain, a. the
root quickly and seldom fails 10 grow. If
both of the shoots grow one can be removed |
10 another place, as one is enough TO remain. !
e 81 fret M
I'm the late fall cut il back; and the fol- |
lowing year YOU will get 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-hyed and VIII produce
increasing crops every year. II VIII he
found 10 bring IN very acceptable crop OF
money each year, and from land which
would otherwise be worse than useless.
The expenses Of starting and maintaining a
plantation of the Osier or basket willow is
irinmg. and is not at all felt 1t requires no
cultivation and but little to keep the trees.
so-caled, in proper trim, the greatest
amount of time being expended IN hdr-
yestng and preparing the shoots for mar
ket. I'm doing this the bark is quickly
and thoroughly stripped from the shoots
by means OF an impIOyised Ratchet attached
% a bench. This hatchie IS made III seNeral
different shapes, the one most readily used
being a series Of duh N-shaped teeth in a
double frame. the upper one being loose and
movable. to give with the varying size Of
the piece and pieces. and 80 as not 10 lnlurc
the appearance of the wood. The shoots
are then seasoned. care being taken not 10
iniure the white color so much desired. when
they are assorted into sizes and put into
bundles and bales and shipped 10 dealers in
such goods in our different large cities.-
Philadelphia Times.