The Idaho Republican., 1915-02-12

ing, which would Qelay pldnIln6 lOE
month or m re. Early planting is
of the utmost Importance, and any
delay would mean a handicap not
easy to overcome.
What to Plant
The farmer who contemplates
planting willows should confine him
self, as rule, to the American green
and to the patent Lemley or Lem
Hey. These require much less culti-
vation than the purple willow, are
easily peeled, and bring good prices.
Perhaps after both have been grown
for few years one or the other may
prove more desirable, and in that
event the inferior vaiety may be
gradually removed. In small holts,
where insects and fungus pests can
be controlled, American green is
recommended. In large holts, how
ever, it would be safer to plant the
Lemleys, since there would be much
less likelihood of loss by epidemic.
In places where the cost of peeling
would not be great the purple willow,
which produces very high-class ma
terial might be profitable.
The American Green Willows
The American green willows have
gained in popularity both in Europe
and America in recent years. AS a
whole, the group is much sturdier
than the purple willows and will pro-
duce a paying crop under much more
adverse conditions. They will also
stand heavier soils and more mois-
ture. They have grown we'll not
only in the north, but also along the
Mississippi as far south as lower
Louisiana. In all parts of the south
they have succeeded better than any
other species.
American green willows are easy
to peel. and on account of their large
size the peeling can be done at
lower cost per pound. Under the
most favorable conditions yields as
high as IL and Is tons per aces have
been obtained, though the average is
from six to nine tons. When open
grown these willows have tendency
to branch. Close spacing is best in
every case, since it lessons the need
for cultivation and gives more and
better rods. There is little danger
of the plants becoming stunted
through crowding.
| American green is much in demand
by makers of furniture and of the
heavier and better grades of basket
ware. 1t is by far the best market
willow grown in America, but un-
fortunately is subject TO insect at
tacks and disease. The willow-shoot
sawf1y, the stool borer, and the leaf
rust often invade a holt and do a
great deal of damage. These pests
can be controlled, though this often
entails considerable expense. Even
with this drawback, however, Ameri-
can green has been planted in a large
proportion of recently established
holts.
| The American willow can generally
be planted in any place where the
American green will grow, and is
especially desirable when small rods
are required. Except in such case
it is not advisable to plant this
variety on very poors soils. The rods
are not as uniform, nor is the yield
as high as in the case of American
green.
Lemley and Patent Lemley Willows
The Lemley and patent Lemley are
very similar in general requirements.
Both grow best on loose, sandy
loan, with an abundant supply of
moisture. Heavy clays should be
avoided. If such soil is utilized,
however, it should be deeply plowed,
and should receive an application of
lime if acid. These willows are
strongly recommended an account of
their comparative freedom from
disease and insects. Though smaller
than the American green they arel
large enough for sop peeling.
Both Lemleys have a decided tend
ency to branch at the base, especial
ly when open spaced. Some growers
send children through holt to pick
off these lateral branches. The rods,
especially of the Lemley, are inclined
to curve at the base. This makes It'll
necessary to prepare such rods for,
the market with particular care, butt
properly bundled they are we'll liked
by manufacturers. Under favorablel
conditions the species should yield
as high as ten tons per acre, but thel
average is from five to eight tons.
Purple willows
OF the several varieties of purplel
willows grown in this country, the
common variety planted in western