For the past few years the demand in this country for high-grade willows has been greatly in excess of the supply, in fact, hardly one-fifth of our requirements are produced at home. Germany, previous to the war, exported willows and rods to the value of about £42,000, this being an increase in five years of fully one-half; while of the manufactured articles in the way of baskets and basket ware her total value exceeded £42,000. But as giving some idea of our wants in this direction it may be stated that the total value of willow rods annually sent to this country from the Continent is in round figures about £100,000, and of baskets and basket ware fully £170,000. What a contrast with the period in our history when an important export trade in willows was done by this country! The willow working industry is a rapidly expanding one. Owing to the increasing demand, the value of peeled willows is gradually on the increase, and present prices range from £24 to £38 per ton for those of best size and quality. These are in the main exported and used for high-class work in the basket trade, rougher unpeeled willows that are largely in use for cheap packing hampers and farm purposes bringing in a much lower price. Fruit baskets in immense numbers are annually imported from the Continent, one firm alone having sent over £150,000; while at Leith basket works, which mainly caters for the agricultural and fishing industries, thousands of herring baskets alone are sent out every month, while the packing hamper department is of great interest and a special feature of this enterprising firm. Previous to the war willow or osier culture was mainly in the hands of the French for rods of good quality, the Belgians and Germans supplying a cheaper kind probably owing to the quality of soil and inferior varieties that are cultivated. There are not a few persons who consider that in order to cultivate willows successfully, any neglected, damp piece of ground, which is unsuited for other crops, may be utilized, and the cuttings simply stuck in without ground preparation of any kind. This is, however, a great mistake, as experience has long ago demonstrated that in order to make osier cultivation at all profitable, a low level, and a naturally rather moist situation must be chosen, and further, that the soil should be deep, well drained and thoroughly prepared.