A PLEA FOR WILLOWS.
A collection of willows and sallows would be worth the attention of gardeners. In winter the contrast of red and yellow sterns holds a suggestion of sunlight on the darkest days. In spring the leaves of some are early and the catkins of most. The common "pussy willow," or "palm," is more attractive if male and female bushes, one silver, one gold, are set side by side ; and at this date the purple willow, which is Very common and grows like a weed, has catkins, of quite singular colour, which especially attract bees. A good example of the invincibility of the willow genus is to be seen at Oxford, alongside the new walks across the Cherwell from the Parks. Almost every willow stake driven in has put forth strong boughs and become a tree proper. As for the Babylonian willow and the red osier, last year I shoved some two dozen odd clippings into the ground anywhere and anyhow, and not one has failed to strike root.
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