WILLOWS AND POPLARS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 9167, 29 July 1890, Page 2

WILLOWS AND POPLARS .

For ornament, windbreaks, and timber, the Eusdan willows and poplars are re* reiving much, attention in America. The best Russian poplars appear to be Populus Certinensis—of which P. Petrouski seems to be a synonym; P. laurifolia, P. Sibirica pyramidalis, P. Wobsky, P. betulifolia, P. balsamifera, of Asia, and P. Bolleana. The last is considered particularly valuable for ornament. A number of good Eussian willows are characterised. These 'are Salix acutifolia, S. fragilis, S. laurifolia, S. aurea, S. Napoleonis, and S. rosmarinifolia. Salix laurifolia," without doubt, has the handsomest foliage of any willow in cultivation.” "Take cuttings, from healthy, vigorous trees; cuttings from such trees root easiest. It is generally best to make cuttings in the fall, after the growth stops, and winter them over, buried in well-drained soil, or plant •out at once. Cutting of Willows and Poplars may also be successfully rooted if made early in the spring before growth starts. Select clean two-year-old wood, or strong, well-ripened one-year-old wood- for cuttings. Make cuttings from Bto lOin long, and as near to one half-inch in diameter as economical cutting will allow. Larger cuttings root nearly as'well,-but are more bulky to handle. See that , the cuts are made smooth with a sharp knife. Have the land for cuttings thoroughly cultivated, and the ground mellow. Plant at least Sin deep, in rows 3ft apart, "and press' the soil close around the base of the cuttings. Do not tramp them in hard if the ground is wet. If the land is dry they cannot be too firmly placed in the soil. Keep well ahead of the weeds by running a horse-cultivator between the tows very often.”