I have drawn my illustrations extensively from English culture, because there "the thing is systematically done up." The best and most cultivated minds have given it their long-continued and careful attention; and in such hands there is no difficulty or uncertainty in observing the connection between cause and effect - for on this the value of observation chiefly depends. The aim of cultivation is in every case the same - to surround the plant, in the most economical manner, with all the circumstances favorable to the development of those qualities for which it is grown; and in cultivation, as well as choice of plants, some regard must be had to difference of climate as well as of other peculiar circumstances, of which I shall presently speak. The statistics of American culture, which I have opportunity of knowing, show a remarkable coincidence with the European, but the price is considerably in favor of the American cultivator.

The number of cuttings required for an acre differ widely, according to the end to be accomplished, ranging from ten to thirty thousand; and at the end of five or six years the plantations may be of about equal value planted with the number of either extreme. For large plantations, the best number is probably twelve to fifteen thousand, and not much crop looked for until the end of the second season, and some even prefer to take no crop for market until the end of the third season, when one of great value may be had. In such case, twelve thousand would be the proper number. A crop of considerable value may be had the second season; and for this purpose per-Jiaps fifteen thousand would be chosen. These would be set in rows about three feet apart, and about ten inches distant in the rows. To derive the most pleasure and profit immediate and prospective, from one acre, the plan adopted on the islands of the Thames, or on the borders of the Cam and Trent, would be the one to pursue. The rows should be eighteen inches apart, and the plants ten inches apart in the rows. If the ground is well prepared, and the culture such as it should be, a very beautiful crop may be had, of considerable value, the first year.

A small holt of this description I have in my mind's eye as I write, and rods from it are standing by me, giving an average length that would be considered respectable for a well-established field. For this purpose not more than two shoots must be suffered to grow from a set the first season. At the end of the sixth year, alternate stools are to be dug up, leaving the rows eighteen inches apart, and the stools twenty inches distant in the rows. In favorable situations, and where cuttings may be had at very cheap rates, this is undoubtedly the most advantageous mode, and at once makes a field that the eye delights to rest upon.

Willows And Willow Culture #1

The cuttings should be prepared in fall or early winter; and if planted in the fall, the ends will form the callosity preparatory to sending out roots. But this advantage is generally more than counterbalanced by their liability to be thrown out by frost, so that spring planting is on the whole to be recommended.

In setting, a small portion only should remain above ground; and the depth to which they should be inserted depends much upon the character of the soil - a light, pervious soil receiving with advantage to a depth that in a very retentive soil would be disadvantageous. The most vigorous growth will be obtained when the strongest roots start from the lower end of the set; and setting so deep that the end does not vegetate, causes a degree of inactivity through the whole plant.

It should be remarked, by the way, that cuttings of vigorous upland growth, that have had an abundance of room, make more vigorous and healthy plantations than those taken from osier holts; and that the wood of one year's growth, with a portion of two year's wood for the lower extremity, make the best of all.

The length of cuttings may vary from seven to fourteen inches for orders; but for fencing purposes, from eight inches to as many feet, according to the plan adopted.

For growing Willow profitably, the ground should be well chosen, and partially in reference to the varieties to be cultivated - constant requisites being depth of soil, richness, and moisture, but absence of stagnant water. The ground should also be level, or nearly so, and free from obstructions, for convenient tillage. Heavy, retentive soils, deeply worked, even if elevated in situation, are excellent Deep, rich bottoms, that are overflowed in winter and spring, and occasionally in summer, are very advantageously used for the purpose. On deep, alluvial soil, freed from standing water, but yet so soft that plowing is impracticable, will give enormous crops of tri-andra, requiring no tillage but keeping the weeds down; but on such purpurea will not thrive, nor scarcely grow. There are large districts of deep alluvium, often inclining to swamp, in which Soft Maple delights, which, so much drained as to do away with its swampy character, and with no other preparation than removing the trees, may make excellent plantations.

The sprouts from the stumps for two years would cause some annoyance, but the stumps themselves would cause but little disadvantage, except by their unsightly appearance, and would rather favor the growth of the Willow. The deep prairies of the west leave nothing to be desired except a sheltering belt of trees, which the Willow can soon furnish. "Natural meadow," composed of a mixture of vegetable and earthy matter, not so adhesive as to be of difficult tillage - such as in very favorable seasons might even give a rampant crop of Corn, but it would oftener fail and be given to Buckwheat - with a stream running through, by which it might occasionally be overflowed, would be my ideal of an osier field.

After a few years the Willow so overshadows the ground that the labor of tillage becomes very small. Ground that is not overflowed at any time, should have a little stable manure before planting, (be deeply worked of course,) and at long intervals of four or five years afterwards, or the complaint will be made of deterioration; whereas, if the ground is constantly kept clean, and occasionally enriched, the plantation will pleasure and profit not to be sought for, unless in the orchard or vinyard, on which time and capital have been largely expended.

The importance of Willow to man has been recognized throughout Europe, from the earliest ages. Among the Romans, as early as the time of Cato, a crop of Willow was considered so valuable that he ranks the salictum (or Willow field) next in importance to the vineyard. And in modern times, Sir I. W. Hooker observes, "The many important U9es rendered to man by the different species of Willow, serve to rank them among the first in the list of our economical plants." Now what I have attempted to indicate by the foregoing hints, is that the Willow plantation is capable of producing great results; but only when managed with the care that is the offspring of knowledge: and that the proper selection of varieties at the outset is all important As is the management of the salictum or vineyards, so are the profits - minus, plus, or plurimus.