Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/341

OSI classes : the first is knowi) by their more blunt, and dov/ny or mealy leaves ; which, in the other, are more pointed, smooth, and green, resembling those of the myrtle. The first class contains, accord- ing to the statement of Mr. Phil- lips (Transactions of the Sor/cti/, &c. vol. 16), nine or ten varieties, the best of which is denominated the Grcij or Brindled Osier. — It varies from the others only in its bark being streaked with a red or blood-coloar. The grey osier thrives vigorously on fenny lands ; is very hardy and tough ; and, having a white glossy surface, is pe^'uliarly adapted for cradles, and :he finer kinds of basket-work. — l"he other varieties of this class vegetate in the dampest soils, and flourish even on the most barren kinds of peat; but, being coarse, brittle, and decaying speedily, they wiil not answer the expence of planting, unless in the vicinity of xiavigable canals : be- sides, they are fit only for the coarsest baskets and hampers ; and will not pay the expence of land- carriage. To the second class belong : 1. The JVelch Osier, v. hicli is both red and white, and was ori- ginally cultivated in Wales. Itforms an useful part of a plantation ; being well calculated for tying the bunches or bundles after the rods have been peeled and bleached. Nor is it less serviceable for binding bundles or sheaves of reeds for thatching ; though it is extremely bitter, and refu.sed by every kind of cattle, un- less the animals are compelled to eat it from hunger. — ^The Welch osiers are very pliant and tough ; and, if they could be perfedly bleaclied, would not be inferior to the best sorts, for manufa6turing baskets. Eats have a particular OSI [319 aversion to this variety ; and, though every oti^er species oi baUvlagC be subject to their devastations, they never touch those bundles whicti are tied with Welch osiers : — ^he application of this pra^ticaJ iA(X, ia th" purpose of exi« ling those de- predators from graii.-'ies, deservefi the attention of fariucrs and cora-' dealers. 2. The JVc'it Cnaitrii Spaniard is thus denominated ; because it was first introduced into the wcst- erncountiesof England, from Spain. This varifty flourishes in every f,oi, and attains a considerable size ; its bark being of a biueish-grey colour. Although it does not thrive so luxuriantly as the Welch osiers, yet Mr. PuitLiPs deems it worthy of cultivation ) having ascertained by experience, that one acre of land will more fitly contain l4,()0OpiantH of the Spanish kind, than J 2,000 of the next following. 3. The New Kind, is a variety generally known and cultivated. It is divided into two sorts, vtf. the l-est, and the inferior new kind : tiie bark (;f the formef is of a ligj^t- brovvn shade, while that of the latter resembles rusty iron, having light longitudinal streaks, whence it has received the appellation of Curderoy. This variety flourishes on mellow land : on account of it* luxuriant vegetation, it requires considerable space to receive nou- rishment, and the intluence of the sun ; so that the number jilanted seldom exceeds 11,000 per acre. 4. The French Osic?- is the most valuable of the numerous varieties. It is preferred to every other, for making the smallest and finest baskets, hats, fans, and other light articles : for which purposes con- siderable quantitie's were imported a few years since iVoni trance;, Holland,