This falling off is much to be regretted, as the sorting and harvesting of osiers and basket-making gave light and remunerative employment to a large number of residents, both young and old, of the districts in which the willow-beds were situated. Land that was damp and could not well be brought under other cultivation without the expense of drainage, gave a good return under a crop of osiers. Taking everything into consideration, and judging from talks that I have had recently with those who are interested in the osier industry, the formation of willow-beds, under the plea that considerable profits attend the undertaking, is not to be recommended. No doubt in some favoured districts where carriage is reduced to a minimum and local demand is considerable, osier cultivation gives a fair return for capital invested; but until we can get back the once lucrative trade in baskets for fruit and other similar commodities from the hands of our Continental rivals, profits of any magnitude are quite precluded. There is little doubt that on soil which is unsuited for farming purposes willow culture can be made fairly profitable, but it is a mistake to suppose that any marshy piece of stiff ground will grow osiers, or that the planting and tending are matters of small import. Quite the reverse is the case. The willow will not thrive for long in water-logged soils, though periodical inundations, particularly during winter and early spring, are highly beneficial. In addition, the soil must be well worked, the cutting of rods carefully and systematically carried out, and the clearing of the ground must receive strict attention, else deterioration of the crop will quickly ensue. Previously to planting the cuttings or sets, the ground should be ploughed, harrowed and consolidated, all objectionable weeds being destroyed. For some considerable time to come there is bound to be a dearth of willows for basket-making, as our main supplies have come from Germany and the Netherlands. Here, then, is a chance for the owners of suitable land in this country to set to work at once and revive a time-honoured industry by planting up suitable grounds with the most approved kinds of willow for basket-making. That the undertaking, if wisely carried out, would be a remunerative one is beyond question, and the excellent results attained at such places as Leicester and Bedford clearly prove that willow culture is a most profitable way of utilizing naturally dampish land in any but the most exposed situations.