THE USE OF THE WILLOW.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1938, 3 September 1889, Page 4

THE USE OF THE WILLOW.

A recent article in the Melbourne Argus is deyoted to urging the cultivation of the willow in these colonies for economic uses. Independently of its value for baskets and basketware of all kinds, it appears that the willow is valuable for many other purposes. No other wood so well stands shocks and bruises without splintering, hence it is specially adapted for cricket-bats, paddle-floats of steamers, brakes of railway Waggons and trucks, the sides and bottoms of carts and barrows for rough work. The beautiful carved and turned Tunbridge ware, so fashionable in England, is made of the white willow. The wood is used by turners for polishing other wood, by corkcutters and leather-cutters for keeping a keen edge on their knives. Hoops for barrels, bow and stretchers for waggon and tent covers, twigs for tying up vegetables and plants and vines are uses to which the willow is applied. Then it makes the best charcoal, and another important use to which it is applied i« that of dyeing wool and in tanning skins. The leaves and young twigs give a pure cinnamon color to woollen goods, and the bark being rich in tannin is used in the preparation of the beat , kinds of Russian and Morocco leathers. Paxton relates that in the north of Europe the leaves and young shoots are given to cattle fresh or dried and stored for winter feed, like those of the birch. It is being used in England as a hedge plant, profit being derived from the annual trimmings. Finally, from the willow are obtained salicine, and salicylate of soda employed in medicine —principally in rheumatic fever—and salicylic acid, used as an antiseptic for preserving fruit, etc.