This is the most simple kind of basket; from others differ only in finer materials, and nicer exe cution; but in these there is considerable. cope for taste and fancy, and implements are produced of ex treme neatness and ingenuity in construction. Some are formed of twigs or straw entire; others of sec tions, split of various thickness, coloured, plaited, or plain ; and baskets of endless variety in size, figure, and texture, are fabricated according to the artist's in clination. The skeins are frequentlyamoked and dyed, either of dull or brilliant colours, and, by intermixing them judiciously, a very good effect is produced. . From the simplicity of this manufacture, a great many individuals, independent of professed basket makers, are occupied in it ; and, fortunately, it affords employment to the blind in the several asylums established for their reception. Not that persons suffering privation of sight are incapable of more in genious and delicate mechanical exercises; but the facility of teaching and acquiring the principles of basket-making being alike obvious, is one of the strongest recommendations in its favour: At Liver pool, where there is an asylum of this description, the art is practised with success; and in the city of Edinburgh, a number of the blind find employment of the same kind, in the asylum established there.
The best materials for basket-making have been principally imported into Great Britain from France and Holland ; but the duration of the war induced the inhabitants of this country to endeavour to obtain ____ a supply at home. Cultivation of the osier was im perfectly understood in England, and in Scotland it scarcely received any attention whatever; whence, as a suitable encouragement, that patriotic Spciety, whose notice is specially directed to the improve ment of arts and manufactures, some years ago, of fered premiums to those cultivators who should raise the greatest quantity, not being less than 6000 plants on an acre.
It became an object with such cultivators to as certain, not only the quantity that could be obtain ed, but the quality of the' produce, which was of the .greater consequence, as many plants, passing under the general name of osiers, and even possess ing their external characters, are ill adapted for the work intended. But considerable light has been thrown on the subject by Mr Philipps of Ely, who was early rewarded by a premium on account of the utility of his observations. He remarks that the osier is a species of salix, of which there are many varie ties ; and these may be comprehended under two. classes ; the first containing nine or ten species.. None, however, excepting one, the grey or brindled.
osier, is of use. This, in common with the others, has a light coloured leaf; but is distinguished by the bark being streaked with red or blood colour; and it is of late introduction into Britain on the Isle of Ely, where the observer's experiments seem to have been chiefly made. It grows vigorously, is very hardy and tough, and bleaches well. All the others of the same class prefer a wet soil, where they grow quickly and large, and will flourish even in the most barren kind of peat; but they are coarse and spongy,. have a thick pith, and are perishable. Nevertheless,. they are sometimes used for coarser workmanship, and are profitable to those who live in the vicinity of places where there is a great demand for osiers, and. cheap conveyance. During the interruption of con . tinental intercourse, they were much resorted to by ; but their inferiority has brought the English gaskets into disrepute in foreign markets. The second class, according to Mr Philipps, contains tour or five different species. One of these, the Welsh willow, is very tough and durable, but not of a favourable colour; there are two varieties, red and white; the former of which is preferred, and forms part of every plantation, from its particular utility in tying up the bundles of willows, after they have been barked or whitened. Their bitterness is such as to be a protection from the depredations of cattle. Be sides these, there are the west country Spaniard, the new willow, the French, and red Kent willow. The first has been superseded by others of superior qua lity, but experience proves that an acre will carry 2000 plants more of them, with greater advantage, than of some in higher repute. But the best of all is esteem ed the French willow; especially as being most adapt ed for smaller and finer work in baskets, fans, hats, and'other light articles. It is rather of slow growth, bat extremely taper, pliant, close grained, and durable. Great quantities of it are the continent, its-culture being more-negiseted here than that of others; however, it must be distin guished from a species resembling it, which is cha racterized by the leaves mapping in a manner as brittle as glass, when drawn through the Sartre.. Plantations of the •French willow burettes' strongly recommended, an tbrming a useful coninrodity, and being always in demand. Having attained the re quisite maturity, all:willows are out over aidamde up into bunches in iron hoops, an •ell or 40 inches diameter, for -the manufacturers, and are sold,-either in this way or in loads; -the price being subject to. fluctuation, according to scarcity or abundance.