The machine for stripping is also quite simple, and consists of a piece of tough, sound wood, about two inches wide and one inch thick. In the top of two sides of a triangle is cut out, like the letter V, opening about one inch at top, and coming close together at the bottom. This machine may be firmly fixed in the end of a strong wooden bench, something similar to that used by coopers for shaving hoops. Another machine may be made of iron rods half an inch in diameter, welded together, and forming a crotch at top like the wood. The crotch need not be over one and a half or two inches long. This instrument may be inserted into the top of a stake or post set firmly in the ground. When the instrument is secured and ready to be worked, a bundle of the willows, washed from the mud, the peeler sits down opposite to it, takes the willow rod or sprout in his right hand by the small end, and puts a foot or more of the thick end into the machine, and draws the willows towards him, by which operation the bark will at once be stripped from the wood. In most cases, once drawing the sprout through, the bark will all strip off; if not the sprout should be turned and drawn through where the bark adhered, and the peeling is completed.

After stripping, the willows should be spread in a clean dry place, until the moisture has evaporated, to prevent mold or mildew, and then put up in bundles, of from fifty to eighty pounds each, carefully bound at several places with some of the sprouts, to prevent breakage or damage in moving them. After being peeled the rods will keep in good condition for a long time, till a proper market is found for them. Sometimes it is necessary to boil or steam them before stripping, which bleaches them at the same time. They will now be fit for market, and should command from three to four cents per pound by the quantity.

The following comprise nearly all the species of willow most esteemed for basket-making, &c.:

SALIX VIMINALIS, OR EUROPEAN GREEN OSIER.-This variety of all others, is best calculated for basket-making. An acre of this properly planted upon suitable soil will yield at least two tons weight per year. This kind of willow grown in this country, and sent to market free from bruises, breaks and mildew, will at

all times command the highest price. It is a tree of low growth, but the shoots grow amazingly long, slender and strong in one year from the stools, which renders it so very useful for basketmaking. It is a native of England in wet meadows. According to Pursh, it grows in the United States, introduced from Europe, on the banks of rivers, &c. ; branches straight, erect, wand-like, very long and slender, round and polished; when young, downy with fine silky hairs. This species is readily distinguished from others of the same class, from its long and narrow leaves, of a bluish green on the upper, and by the white satiny under surface. There is nothing peculiar in the cultivation of this species of willow, but it is a vigorous grower, and will make shoots from eight to ten feet in one season.

There is a variety called the velvet osier, in which no external difference is discernable, but the sprouts are said to be more pliant, and they will make shoots from ten to twelve feet, and is held in high estimation for baskets.

SALIX FORBYANA, OR ENGLISH BASKET-WILLOW. -A native also of England. The stem is erect, very long, slender, smooth sprouts, very flexible and tough, of a greyish yellow hue, a valuable species for the finer basket-work. When cut down, plants make shoots from five to seven feet long in one season.

SALIX RUBRA, RED OR GREEN-LEAVED WILLOW.-A native of Britain. The branches are long, upright, smooth, greyish or purplish, more frequently tawny, and very tough and pliant. The leaves are very long and narrow, and agree in shape with those of the S. Viminalis; but has not, as that has, dense white pubuscence beneath. When the plants of this species are cut down, they send out shoots from five to eight feet in length; consequently it is valuable for baskets, &c.

SALIX TRIANDRA, OR THREE STAMENED WILLOW.-This is also a native of Britain, in wet grounds, where it forms an upright tree, rising naturally, when not injured, to the height of 30 feet. This is a valuable willow, and is extensively cultivated for the long tough rods which it produces when cut down, and used for white basket-work, producing sprouts from eight to nine feet long

tough and pliant, even when stripped of their bark, and very durable should be cut every year.

SALIX DICOLOR, OR TWO COLORED WILLOW.-A native of the United States, and common in low grounds and on the banks of rivers, from New England to Carolina. According to Pursh, this kind is the one most commonly used in America by the basketmakers.

SALIX CORDATA, OR HEART-LEAVED WILLOW.-A native of North America. The sprouts are very tough, and are much used for baskets.

SALIX ALBA, OR EUROPEAN WHITE OSIER.-This in England is called the Huntingdon Willow, and also the White Willow. It is of quick growth, and attains to a very large size, often reaching to the height of forty to fifty feet. It is said to flourish on almost any soil, and forms by its upright growth 2 fine contrast to the Weeping Willow. It is also a good basket willow, and is used in England extensively for hoop-poles and fencing by the farmers. Their manner of planting when for fencing, is by placing the ends or cuttings in the ground, and then working them into a kind of lattice-work, and passing a withe around the tops or ends, so as to keep in shape for the first year or two. They then cut the tops off yearly, and sell them to the basket makers; thus having a fence and a crop from the same ground.

The importance of the willow to man has been recognised from the earliest ages, and ropes and baskets made from willow sprouts were probably among the very first of human manufactures in countries where those trees abound. The Romans used the twigs for binding their vines and tying their reeds in bundles, and made all sorts of baskets of them. A crop of willows was considered so valuable in the time of Cato, that he ranked the willow-field, next in value, to the vineyard and the garden. In modern times, the many uses, observes Hooker, "rendered to man, by the different species of willow and osier, serve to rank them among the first in our list of commercial plants."

In an economical point of view, scarcely anything was added to our knowledge of the cultivation and uses of the willow since [Ag. Tr. '53.]

V

the time of the Romans till the slight notices of the uses of the willows given by Ray and afterwards by Evelin. The first systematic essay on the subject appears to have been written by Dr. Walker, about the latter end of the last century, though not published till 1812. In this essay, twenty-two species are described, and an account given of their uses and mode of cultivation.

Willows for basket-making and hoops were principally imported into England from Holland and France until the year 1808, when in consequence of the war with France, plantations were formed in England, and many associations offered liberal premiums on the best production of willow.

The late Duke of Bedford, one of the best farmers of that day, gave much attention to the subject, which is vigorously prosecuted by his son, the present Duke.

The osier for basket-making in this country has been extensively imported from France and Germany, chiefly from France, and sells in New-York from five to seven cents per pour d. It is getting to be extensively used in the manufacture of baskets, children's cradles, and wagon-bodies, and as it grows finely in this country, there is no reason why it should not be cultivated sufficiently to supply the home demand.

The uses of the willow are various. Almost all the species being aquatics and of rapid growth, they are peculiarly fitted for planting on the banks of rivers and streams for restraining their encroachments, and retaining the soil in its place. It has one great advantage, as it grows readily by cuttings, and does not require the soil to be disturbed by the operation of planting.

"As far back as I can remember," says Wm. R. Prince, in the American Journal of Agriculture, "my father, the late William Prince, warmly urged the extensive culture of this useful tree, or rather group of trees; and in the Short Treatise on Horticulture, written by myself, under his supervision in 1828, the best species of the osier were described, and the facility of their culture commented upon, and public attention particularly called to the Importance of growing an ample supply on our own soil."

The art of fabricating baskets from willows, in the commonest form of the manufacture, for farm purposes, is a very simple operation, and is easily acquired by any ordinary hand, and may be practiced in evenings and stormy days in winter, with little or no expense. In Europe it was formerly understood by every country laborer, and it generally formed a part of his occupation in the winter evenings. A well made basket of this willow is actually worth three or four made of ash splints. To give them firmness and durability, a good rim, ribs and handle of oak, hickory, or any other substantial wood are necessary.

ANALYSIS OF THE VEGETABLE OYSTER,
(Tragopogon porrifolius,)

By J. H. SALISBURY, M. D.

This plant does not belong to the list of those used as food for stock; yet it is a plant of some interest in the way of the table, on account of its richness and peculiar flavor, which resembles when cooked somewhat that of an oyster.

The specimens examined were very large and tender. They were furnished by Mr. V. P. Douw, of Greenbush. Average widest diameter of the roots of 6 specimens, 1 inches; their average length 11 inches; average length of tops 26 inches; average weight of each root 4 ounces. Average weight of the tops of each plant, 11⁄2 ounces.

13.964

dry matter....... 18.78

66 ash in dry matter,.. 8.333

6,826 pounds of the fresh roots,contain 100 pounds of inorgani matter; 4,608 pounds of the fresh tops contain 100 pounds of inorganic matter; 100 pounds of the inorganic matter of the