Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-04-04

WASHINGTON, April 3.-The gov.
erpment In right in the midst Of the
harvest OF 4 most unique crop at its
experimental farm near Arlington.
Just across the Potomac from this
city, where a corps Of |aborers tn
charge Of trained foresters are pre-
pairing for the annual free distribution
Of !. 900, 900 basket willow cuttings.
Uncle Sam r. encouraging ne grow
ing of high grade willow rods in TINS
country. and in the five years since
the establishment Of the hollis at Ar
linston approximately a half million
select cuttings have been distributed
among farmers, with directions for
planting and preparing for market.
Particular attention Is given to Sc
lecting the :arietics snd strains btsst
suited 10 the soil where the planting
win be made
Willowcraft Is an Industry which
Is con. family growing in importance
In this country. yet the culture OF
basket willow in the United States
male very little progress until i've
CT SIX years ago. Even now pfacti-
CELL all G! the best grades OF basket
w,lIcx are imported from Europe.
CD cfl:- from FraDee. European manu-
lecturers compete keen1y for the best
products in their countries. and until
recently only the inferior rods were
sent TO America where they have
been bought At three times the prices
quoted for similar stock few years
ago. Experiments have shown that
the best grades Of willow can be
, grown in this country at q good proht.
snd .fsrmers are turning their at;en-
ton to its culture 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 sfe selected for
distribution. The management OF the
holts and work Of free distribution OF
cutting Is charged to the United
States Forest Service. Cuttings for
experimental planting and information
on mana cement Of the willow holts
are furnished those who make the w.
que:t of the forester at Wsshingto5-
The government recognizes the i'm
pOrfance Of good cuttings. a point
more COMMONLY overlooked than the
matter Of cultivation. Only the best
and most thrifty rods are selected for
Zach seasons distribution To pro
dnce Q desirable grade Of rods J, 10
very important 10 select planting
stock not only from thoroughly tested
varieties. but the cuttings should lS
taken from the taIlest. perfectly
straight. cylindrical. brauchlcss. and
fully mature rods. High grade has
ket willow can BE- raised only BY being
sure that the cuttings planted are
from parent stock above the aver
age.
The policy Of tho forest service is
! 70 increase the number 81 tDpostsnt
ltaske, willows and detcrmise their
vsisc usdcr diNereet soil and climatic
| coudifious. and ~ the Apal tests OF
new varieties are comp1eted, those
proved 10 be valuable viii be added
Il TO the disfribueioa lisf.
Cutttnes Of new snd untried basket
Willows we're obtained non Europe
i q ycsr ago and planted In the services
Icxvcrimeatai srpund. Close obscrvs.
tjoas VII b. nad~ upon The growth of
Iihese and 81 the results ars favorable
bNurins the arSt ycsrs. cuttings from
these varieties yin 10 dissrfufed In
the United Ststcs. u caSe q soDc
yarscsies Q Anch logger tinc maJ
elaps- besorc their valve can Be -
ysabliShed.
! The forc., service Is receiving q