Rensselaer Union, Volume 1, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 August 1869 — Usefulness of Willows. [ARTICLE]

Usefulness of Willows.

Farmers should have a patch of osier willows growing near the homestead, as they ard'exceedingly useful for many purposes. Baskets of various sizes are needed in the house, barn-yard and field, and when there is plenty of material they can be made within doors in winter, when farm work is not pressing. The Salix mminalit, or basket-willow, is best suited for this purpose. Of the Purple willow, Sulix putpurea, it has been said that “if there were but one osier in existence, this would supply more of the wants of willow-workers than any other one.” Willow withes are very useful in the garden, nursery, or pleasure ground, as they supply an abundance of ties for fastening vines or trellises, tall-growing flowers to stakes, and also serve for bands for the nurserymen. The clear stems of two or three year old willows furnish poles for beans, etc., and when Split make hoops for vessels of various kinds. The Golden osier, (Salix viteltina) is very ornamental, even when entirely denuded of foliage. It is also useful, for its young shoots make good ties, and its medium sized branches and twigs furnish peabrush, a thing that is not always at hand in some gardens. ' Willows will grow in a great variety of soils, especially if moist, but not profitably in any unsuited to their habits. Drained swamps afford fine sites for willdw plantations. A deep, rich bottom of sandy loam that is occasionally overflowed, is very suitable for their growth. Any amount of overflowing, not in the growing season, does no damage, but increases the

fertility. Richness of soil Is important, great depth indispensable.and easy culture desirable and profitable.-Jl Waiter n Rural.