The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1915-02-19


can-grown willow come in four sizes
and sells at from five to seven cents
a pound. The. smallest size is hard
to get, and the other sizes are seldom
well sorted. The American grown
willow is regarded favorably by fur
niture makers, and whatever objec-
,lons they may have can be removed
Ky greater care in culture ami in pre-
pairing the rods for the the market.
The makers of high-grade willow
backete ware are generally located in
the larger cities throughout the north
and in the Mississippi valley. There
are also several establishments in
San Francisco and Sacramento. In
the south basket makers are found
only in Richmond, Charleston and
New Orleans. Practically no attempt
is made by any of these manufacture
ers to compete with makers of cheap
baskets.
In the east both foreign and do
nestle willows are used. Even in
this section, however, the manufac-
turers say that they would use more
American-grown willows If they
could get them, since they are heavier
and more durable than the French.
All willow used for fine baskets and
for furniture must be a brilliant
white, and for this reason only sap
peeled rods are considered. In the
middle west and west transportation
costs increase the price of foreign
grown willows and limit their use.
All the manufacturers seem to pre-
fer the American-grown willow if it
Gan be obtained.
Upon the manufacturer of low
grade basket ware falls the burden
of the competition with wooden bas-
kets and with cheap willow products
imported from Europe. The manu-
facturer of low-grade baskets is CEN
tered in western New York and in
the larger cities throughout the
country. The basket-willow industry
about Syracuse, Roschester and other
points in western New York differs
from that in any other part of Ameri-
ca, more nearly approaching the in
dustry in certain section of Europe.
1t is carried on in the midst of an
important willow-growing district,
and is mainly in the hands of a few
large dealers who buy the willows
and give them out to basket makers.
These latter work at home, receiving
specified sum per dozen for the
baskets, according to the size. The
willows are steam peeled, a process
which turns the rods a red-brown
color and ruins them for all fine
work. Besides the industry in west
ern New York, willow-basket makers
are scattered through the country
district of Pennsylvania and the mid
die western states as far as the Mis-
sissippi. Conditions .are very much
the same as thost in New York,
though, as rule, sap-peeled willows
are used.
Suggestions for Basket Makers
In Europe basket ware is used for
many purposes practically unknown
in this country. In bakeries and
dairies, on the continent and in Eng
land, eggs, buns, rolls, etc., are dis
played in very delicately woven,
shallow baskets of the best quality,
which add real attractiveness to
the store. Grocers often use willow
hampers for dried fruits, nuts. etc.
Such hampers are made with one
side higher than the oppsite one, so
v that the wares can be better seen.
The hamper is set on short feet.
In England great quantities Of
split basket ware are used. Screen
doors and even office window screens
are beautifully fashioned in willow
and even hoted washstand splashers
are made of willow. Small mats for
hot dishes at the table are also made
of split willow, as are also very
dainty bread baskets. A half-bushel
basket is made in England and Hol-
land which is singuTarly durable for
it's weight. The bottom is arched,
giving the whole basket great
strength. Nurserymen ship their
trees in baskets of unpeeled willow,
the uprights of which project and
are tied over the top of the plant
for its protection. A very beautiful
and light basket is made in Germany,
with the lines formed simply of up
rights, strengthened with one or two
lines of weaving.
In England commercial travellers
sample boxes are made of willow, the
corners and edges being bound with
rawhide. These boxes or trunks are
very light, and will stand almost any
kind of usage. Parcel trunks on the
English railways are almost ALWAYS