WILLOW, a genus of trees and shrubs (Salix) of the family Solicacea. The species, of which more than 150 have been described. are natives mostly of the North Temperate Zone, but a few are indigenous in the tropics and in the South Temperate Zone, and some are found close to the limit of perpetual snow in the Arctic Zone and upon lofty mountains. where they are reduced very greatly in stature. etc. One of these last, a Luropean species (S herbacea), rarely exceeds an inch in height Willows are characterized by simple, usually lanceolate leaves, which in the bud are star rounded by a single bud-scale, flowers naked, direcious, in catkins, followed by dehiscent fruits containing little appendaged seeds which usually float readily with the breeze. In gen eral, the species are best adapted to wet ground, along streams, etc., and on this account are fre quetitly planted to dry out damp ground and for improving the sanitary conditions around cesspools. Like the Australian gumtrees (Eccnt.vrrt-s, q.v.), which are similarly used, they transpire immense quantities of watet Some of the species are of importance along streams and lakes where they prevent the riaah ing of the soil either by current or wave. In pleasure grounds, summer resorts, etc., they an often planted because they ill thrive almost anywhere and also because they quickly produce an elect. In such capacity, howeVer, they should be used more as temporary as per manent trees and should he replaced by better, sturdier trees, such as maples, elms; beeches, and others of sloWer growth. Some of the spe cies or their varieties produce pleasing effects during winter because of their yellow or red branches; in spring by their yellow catkins, oi their weeping habits. Willow wood is white, light, soft,porous, generally durable in water. It is used for turning, cabinet work, fuel and for charcoal-makipg.' The charcoal is highly valued for making crayons and gunpowder. The trees are widely planted in Europe for pollard ing (q.v.), to supply fuel, poles, etc.
The most Important industry connected with willows is the growing of osiers (q.v.) for males
ing baskets,. wickerwork, etc. The, species pop used in Europe, where the industry is very important, are the common osier (S. limn nalis), which yi, general purpose rods; fine basket osier (.s. par/wee); green-leaved osier or ornard (S. triandra) ; golden, or white osier, or willow (S. alba) ; and varieties of these. In America the climate is considered unfavorable to some of the IFlan 1,t nii species and so native species and varieties ale more popular. Propa gation for osier culture is always by means of cuttings, which are either pieces of branches or single-eye cuttings. The former are made about 15 inches long, planted 15 to 18 inches asunder in rows from 18 to 24 inches apart; the latter are planted very close together so as to produce attenuated shy of small diameter. The cuttings are planted preferably upon allu vial soils since such produce the finest rods and will continue profitable much longer than plan tations on lighter soils. On fight soils the use ful age ranges from 15 to 20 years. Plantations are not made upon clay soils since such give un satisfactory results.
Having been planted, the only attention usu ally given is an occasional shallow cultivation to destroy weeds. After the leaves have fallen the harvest is made, the rods graded, those for brown baskets dried and piled under cover; those for white baskets tied in bundles, placed upright in shallow trenches containing about three inches of water until growth starts in the spring when they are peeled by means of a 'break?' In unfavorable seasons they may re quire a sort of fermentive process' under litter to loosen the bark. The osier industry of Hol land, Belgium, France and England is very ex tensive. It is mainly confined to low grounds flooded by the tide. In the United States the leading regions of osier culture are western New York and southeastern Michigan;. lesser areas exist near Baltimore, Md., Milwaukee, and Cincinnati, Ohio. The annual pro duction of baskets in the United States is esti mated at approximately $4,000,000.