Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-11-10
WILLOW GROWING IN VERMONT.
An Industry That May Mean Much foe
Vermont Farmers and business Men.
Burlington, Nov. {, 1885,
To the Editor of the Free Press,


was pleased to see in your issue of
last Friday clipping ON the possibilities
OF willow growing. | believe this matter
worthy Of the attention Of burlington
people. The fact that the area now given
to growing oSiers in this country may be
nrChtao,y increased IS fully presented in
recent publication from our National
Department OF Forestry at Washington,
ID. {. Anyone seeing information should
secure copy OF this Bulletin "a. entitled
"osier Culture" This bulletin sets forth
the recent increase in the use of willow
ware, and shows that home production OF
sucn goods. now quite largely imported
arords large profits on capital invested
both in the growing of osiers and in the
manufacture of willow goods. IL seems
natural to conclude that If this Is the case
business men Will not be slow to develop
the Industry. 1t is TO be noted in this
connection however. that climatic cond!-
tons are important factors in the produc-
ton OF tho best osiers. To quote: The
requirements for good basket willow
are that it produces many slender rods
without branching: that these rods be
SOFT and pliable." and this latter Cund-
ton depends in part on the character of
tho pith developed. 1t appears. more
over. that hot dry summers among other
conditions prevent the growth of the best
their successful production AT present
the chief willow plantations are in Central
New York State. From my observations
OF the numerous willows Srowing natu,-
ally along our lake shore | believe the sec
ton in the vicinity of Burlington may be
admirably situated both as to soil and
Climate for the production of good quail.
" OF osIer. l am strengthened in this be-
lief Uy the fact that | have found one of
the hest European os,er willows tSaliX
purpureO growing in considerable album
dance about Burlington Bay. IL has evil
IDENTIFY escaped from culture by earlier set
tiers and continues TO propagate itself
making thrifty growth, The willows
are naturally n northern family Of plants
and II is probable that our conditions
would in general better favor theil
growth than would a southern climate
These are. however. merely opinions has.
al on general observations, and not upor
critical studies. II will be an easy matter
for anyone Interested to secure sample:
from these willows which are already
growing spontaneously in this vicinity
which may be critically examined by ex
pcrts as to relative quality. | shall b,
glad To aid anyone interested In securins
such samples. II such an investigation
iUstifes Il. II would be comparatively In
expensive TO start small eNrerimenta
, willow plantation upon favorable sol
and determine more exactly the charac
ter of the growth. There is little doub
in my mind than much o. the low lane
50 abundant on all sides of this city i,
admirably adapted for successful willow
culture. and, if 81, a profitable new indus
try might be developed in our midst IL
the growth of the osier and the manuiac
ture OF willow ware. Yours truly,
l.. r.. JONES,
University of Vermonr-