The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1909-04-05
DISTRIBUTE WILLOW


Washington, April 4.--(speciai.)---
| The government Is right In the midst
Of the harvest of q most unique crop
at its experimental farm near Airing
ton. just across the Potomac from this
city. where corps OF laborers 10
charge OF trained foresters are pre-
pairing for the annual free distribution
OF 100000 basket wilIow-acuttings.
Uncle Sam IL encouraging the grow
ing OF high grade willow rods In this
country, and In the I'VE years since
the establishment Of the hoits at Ar
lington approximately a half million
select cuttings have been distributed
among farmers, with directions for
planting and preparing for market.
Particular attention fs given to Sc
lecting the varieties and strains best
suited to the soil where the paintings
Will be made.
wiilowcraft is an industry which is
constantly growing In importance in
this country. yet the culture Of bas-
ket willow In the United states made
very little progress until Ave or six
years ago. Even now. practically all
OF the best grades of basket willow
are imported from Europe. chiefly
from France. European nianufactur-
ers compete keenly for the best pro-
ducts IN their countries. and until re-
Gently only the inferior rods We're
sent to America where they have been
sought at three times the prices quot
ed for similar stock q few years ago.
Experiments have. shown that the best
grades Of willow can be grown In this
country at good profit, and farmers
are turning their attention to Its cul-
ture more and more each year.
This years harvest began early in
March. Four approved varieties are
being sent out. and only the best and
most thrifty rods are selected for dis
tribution. The anagement of the
hoits ana work Of free distribution of
cuttings Is charged to the United
states Forest Service. Cuttings for
experimental planting and information
on anagement of the willow holts
are furnished those who make the re-
quest Of the forester at Washington.
The government recognizes the Inn
portance OF good cuttings, point
more commonly overlooked than the
matter Of cultivation. Only the best
and most thrifty rods are selected for
each seasons distribution. To pro-
duce q desirable grade of rods II IL
yery Important to select planting
stock not only from thoroughly tested
varieties. but the cuttings should be
taken from the taliest, perfectly
straight, cylindrical, branchless and
fully mature rods. High grade basket
sure that the cuttings planted are
from parent stock above the average
The policy of the Forest Service Is
to increase the number of important
backet Willows and determine their
value under different soil and climatic
conditions. and as the Anal tests NJ
new varieties are completed. thpse
proved to be valuable VIII be added
to the distribution list.
80 nj and nntTted DHSk0t
willows were obtained from Europe a
year ago and planted in the services
experimental ground. Close obserya-
tons will be made upon the growth
OF these and IL the results are fav-
orable during the hrst three years.
cuttings from these varieties Will be
distributed In the United states. In
case Of some varieties much longer
time may elapse before their value
can be established.
The Forest Service Is receiving q
constantly Increasing number OF re-
nuasts for basket willow cuttings
These requests come from farmers all
over the country. many of them COM
ing through members OF Congress.
The service Is endeavoring 70 SUM
ulate the basket willow industry In
this country by distributing cuttings
OF the most approved varieties OF will
low and the four varieties tested for
Inc last ave years In the experimental
holt at Arlington. Va, can now be
confidently distributed.
The behavior OF the plants has been
carefully observed as to the quantity
and quality OF the crop, to their re-
sistance and lack OF resistance, to dis
eases as we'll as other points that
would affect the profltableness OF each
variety. The observations made DUR
ing the first two years were published
IN circular 14S by the Forest Service.
Al the close Of this springs har-
ths nast three years tests will be pub