Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1893-10-20
THE BASKET WILLOW
VALUABLE INFORMATION ABOUT
PROFITABLE INDUSTRY.
Address by DIR. Frank, of PuyaIIup,
Before the Washington State
Horticultural Society.

IbOTtlCultufal society,"
In presenting this paper / desire at
the outset to preface the same. by
claiming but little originality, rather
if you please, an epitome OF practical
men, who have made this branch of
horticulture close study and invaria-
bly, a success. You are aware that
there is scarcely any literature on the
subject, barring the series OF papers by
William Scaling London, 1871, (The
Salix or Willow from whom l have
frequently quoted. My friend Mr..
Hans Bushbauer, has several running
articles in the House and Bauernfreund
(7he Home and Farm Companion)
published by the Germania Publish
ing Company, of Milwaukee, Wis,
whose practical style of questions and
answers have initiated and many of
his ideas in that journal are here re-
peated being in the main, translations.
l am under obligations in this paper,
to the two gentlemen before men,
toned, also to Mr.. Henry Huner-
mund of Carlsstadt, New Jersey,
practical osier grower, who not only
furnished me valuable information,
but any amount of settings for trial,
also to the practical hints given by DR..
Horst of Vienna, Austria, Heinrich
Ritter Won Manner, also of Vienna,
His Grace the Duke of Bedford, of
Woodburn Abbey, England and lastly
my brother, George Frank, OF New
York. Not laying any claims to being
a practical farmer my only apology in
inflicting this paper upon you is my
ardent desire to bring before the world
the unlimited resources of our State
in diversified agriculture and assist
our own citizens to profitably cult
vate such lands as now seem almost
useless to them. With these few pre-
liminary remarks will make bold to
proceed, claiming your kind indul-
gence and charitable criticism:
1t is surprising how little attention
and study has been bestowed in the
United States on this subject, although
this industry has been a source of rev.
enue to grower, especially in the Eu-
ropean countries. 1t is estimated that
in England and Ireland alone, are ap-
propriated to the cultivation of the
willow, between nine and ten thousand
acres, still there was imported from
Belgium, France and Holland into
that country, over $500 large tons of
the estimated value OF $685., ,O67 so and
manufactured. basket ware to the
value OF 1886, 800 or q total valuation
OF 1886, 1867. so for one year with con-
tinually increasing trade. Ihave been
unable to get statistics as to the pro-
gress in the use OF the willow in the
United States, but I am creditably in
formed that over $4,000, 900 are i'm.
ported annually.
Question:
. What is your opinion of planting
five or ten acres into basket willow?
Answer
1t is much better to start a small
holt. Willow cultivation must be
learned like anything else.
Question:
Lands in Kansas and west do not
yield proftably, the low prices OF all
kinds of grains are great sources OF
complaint. Why not 60 into raising
basket willow?
Answer
Inquiry should first be made for a
market, or if basket factory is con-
veniently located. 1t seems a grave
question whether willows can be
profitably raised with theI present high
freight rates, which prevail on all
western railroads to all eastern points.
Question:
If willows can be successfully i'm
porter from France, Italy, Belgium,
etc., to Milwaukee, Syracuse and New
York, and pay freight, they ought to
be able to stand the railroad freight to
the same points.
Answer
One must take in consideration that
from France, Italy and Belgium the
willow takes the water routes and
freight is much cheaper than by rail-
roads, then we must remember that
only the very best goods are imported
and therefore can stand the cost OF
freight better than inferior goods.
Question:
Is not low, wet and boggy grounds
best adapted to willow growing?
Answer
This is widely spread, but errone-
GUS opinion. Wild willows are found
in wet and marshy soil, butithe gen.
uine osier willow cannot be success
fully propagated in low and undrained
lands, but il properly drained and
ditched, many a piece of lard COM
paratively valueless for root or grain
crops, can be successfully used for an
osier plantation.
Question:
Would not that involve quite
large expenditure of money and labors
Answer
Wet soil must be properly drained
in order to fit same for willow planta-
ton. With ordinary care a crop will
pay the grower as we'll as any crop on
the farm, and with this advantage,
that land comparatively valueless for
root or grain crops can be used for
osier planting. The willow does not
require much from the land as it can
be cultivated almost on any kind OF
soil where it can take root without any
! trouble. Strong clay bottoms are not