The Cultivation of Osiers and Willows

by Wm Paulgrave Ellmore

This book is the first attempt to provide a comprehensive account of willow cultivation for basket-making in English, expanding on previous works in French, Belgian, Dutch and German. Authoritative knowledge comes from the author's half-century experience as a basket-maker and dealer in willows. The book includes a leaet on insect and fungus pests of osiers and willows issued by the Board of Agriculture. The volume additionally provides detailed advice on how to identify and select the best varieties for cultivation, detailed instructions for soil preparation and planting, advice on cultivation and weed suppression, as well as harvesting, cutting and marketing, with an estimation of expenses and returns from various yields. The detailed analysis of different varieties of willow trees, from the varieties of S. triandra to S. amygdalzna, helpfully delineates the properties of each. The work provides the most comprehensive treatment of the subject available, and the author's conclusions and recommendations will be of considerable value to those engaged in the cultivation of willows for basket-making.

126 pages, Hardcover

First published August 12, 2015