The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1915-02-26
BASKET WILLOW
CULTURE In THE
UNITED STATES

Basket willows are OF European
origin and are now cultivated in all
temperate climates. They thrive as
far north as Norway and Sweden,
and have been naturalized in portions
of North and South America. Aus
tralia, and New Zealand. They are
grown extensively In Great Britain,
France, Belgium, Holland, Germany,
Austria and Russia. The chief pro-
dusing district of Europe are Ger
many, Holland and France, where the
conditions are particularly adapted to
willows. These are highly esteemed
by American basket makers, who use
several thousand tons of imported
rods annually. Willows grown in Bel
GUM are also among the finest, but
they are usually larger and suited
principally for coarser basket ware.
There are many kinds of basket
willows in cultivation, and much con-
fusion exists in their classification.
About ninety-five different strains
considered valuable commercially are
known in Europe. The varieties now
most in use in this country are purple
willow, American green willow, Lem
ley willow and patent Lemley willow.
The purple willow is by far the best
variety for American conditions, and
it has been grown successfully from
Maine to Minnesota and southwark to
Kentucky and Tennessee. It readily
adapts itself to great variety of
climate and soil conditions and pro-
duces tough, pliable rods much sought
by basket makers. Climate and soil
have much to do with the successful
cultivation of willows. In regions
with a mild and humid atmosphere
the best length of rods and, therefore,
the greatest yield per acre is obtain
ed. Loose, rich and moist sandy loan
soil is most congeniol to their growth.
Willows may be grown in any part
of the United States where these soil
conditions obtain, and when ration
ally treated no other crop gives more
profit. The difference in quality of
willow rods does not arise so much
from the difference in kind as it does
from the result of soil and general
treatment. The same variety will
produce good, long flexible rods in
one part of the plantation, while in
another they may be short, brittle
and branching.
Basket willow cultivation has been
a declining industry until recently.
Serious injury was done to it, both
in this country and in Europe, when
rattan and other substitutes began to
be introduced. The prevailing low
prices of splint baskets and sea-grass
furniture are also factors in its de-
cline. The demand for willow is again
increasing, and brief discussion of
their culture followed in the Willow
growing districts should, therefore,
be of interest.
Four varieties are grown in north
ern New York, but the principal kind
Is the purple. The soil chosen is a
deep rich humus with a moderate
amount of sand, which retains the re-
quired amount of soil moisture. The
climatic conditions are likewise favor
able to willows. Reports covering
ten years show an average annual
rainfall of 35 inches. This amount
of moisture is an essential condition
for the attainment of good crop.
The willow zone of northern New
York is thus largely determined by
the peculiar character of the SOIL
The ground is prepared SO as to
clean 1t of weeds, and place it in
condition to facilitate the wide pene-
tration of the roots of the willow,
and also to conserve moisture dur
ing hot weather. The success of this
work, like in all other undertakings,
depends upon the management, which
must be in the hands of men who are
able personally to direct the work
and who have at the same time a
material interest of the welfare of
the plantation. In New York most
willow plantations are owned by
farmers who cultivate and harvest
their own crops. No systematic met
hod of manuring has as yet been un-
dertaken. A few growers use we'll
rotted barnyard manure and spread
1t between the rows and work it in
the upper stratum.
Cuttings are planted early in
March, and the operation is intrusted
only to those who have knowledge of
the work. The length of the cut
tings should vary according to the
soil. In moderately moist, porous
soil they should be from eight to ten
inches, but where the water level is
below feet they should be IL inches
long. To plant them too close to-
gether or too far apart reduces the