The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-06-03
Cultivation of Basket willow.

The general idea prevails that the osier.
or basket willow, grows only on moist
ground. This is entirely false, says i.
Menecke. in Farm and Fireside. The cul-
tivated willows can be planted on high
ground. and only differ from those planted
on deeper ground, in hardness of the wood.
Both are equally pliable.
Although the cultivation of willows for
the manufacture OF baskets has not made
the proper Roadway In this country on ae-
count of competition with the cheaper and
much inferior wood splint baskets. yet the
excellent qualities OF the fine osier willow
it's toughness, pliabiiity and ivory white
ness. Will continue to make it the most de-
sirable material for the manufacture Of
strong and light basket work.
There Is always a market for peeled will
lows, which will bring from five to twelve
cents a pound. Every farmer, whether
he raises willows in a business way or not,
should plant willows along his brooks and
in spare places where nothing else Is plant
ed If cut every spring and properly cared
for they will bring steady returns. Be
sides the good quality OF the Willow roots
which hold banks Of brooks and steep hill
sides. large willow hedges are good shell
ter, and there is no wood which grows so
fast
Il
quantities. observe the following: The
land to be used for the planting Of will
lows must be entirely free of weeds and
stagnant pools of water. The cuttings
are planted in rows each stick being sep
arated from the next by distance or one
foot. A space of three feet must exist be-
tween the rows, thus enabling the cult
vator to pass and keep down the weeds
and grass.
The cuttings sprout best on land which
has been gotten ready the fall before, and
they should be put in the ground right
after the frost has left, so that the full
moisture of the ground will help the plant
to grow.
The cuttings which are chopped from two
or three years growth, long sticks of cul-
tivated willow (not wild Willow must be
planted in ground up to the first or second
bud. as otherwise the exposed part of the
cutting may be spoiled by the heat or
frost.
In the first year small switches will
grow which must be cut the following
spring, about in March, or before the sap
enters the plants Each successive year
win bring a decided increase in the crop.
until the climax Is reached in the sixth
year; but with proper care the yield will
last for many years more.
Willow switches must always be cut as
close as possible TO the stem to prevent the
stumps from splitting up by heat or frost
and decaying. which Injuries the stalks.
After cutting the willow switches are
bundled and put into shallow bitches of
water close together. so that they are
Immersed about three inches. II very dry
weather. light sprinkling is necessary. In
short time the sap will be up between
the stick and the bark. little buds will ap-
pear. and then it is time to peel them.
With the aid OF a wooden fork with long
prongs and a moderately sharp edge,
through which the switches are drawn,
the bark is easily looseped and can be
taken off. If laid in the sun these willows
will become beautifully white.
Spring peeled willows bring a better
price than the steam-peeled. Willows can
be cut in the fall. steamed or soaked in
hot water and the bark can be easily re-
moved in that way also. but the willow
which has its tanning matter cooked out
will soon turn red, and therefore is less
valuable in the market.
Willows are tied up in bundles Of twenty