Willow Furniture

Willow Furniture.

Northern Star (Lismore, NSW : 1876 - 1954) Saturday 29 June 1878 p 4 Article

Willow Furniture: MORE attention might be advantageously paid to the cultivation of the willow. The demand for furniture: made from willow is rapidly increasing and the "United States alone import from Europe willow to the valve of ¿1,000,000 annually. This wood is highly appreciated in America.

b is estimated that 5000 different articles are constructed from its shoots --the manufacture of chairs,; sofas, and baskets being the moist common use to which they are put by New-, England manufacturers . at least.

 The,demand for willow furniture, especially for-summer . residences. (is steadily on the increase and as they are so light,'so easily transported from place to place, and withal so strong and comfortable, they are likely to have a yet greater patronage every year.

Here in Europe the timber of a certain kind of willow is used for many purposes. It is sawn into boards for flooring, and into scantlings for rafters.

Wherever lightness, 'pliancy, elasticity, and toughness are required, willow wood is peculiarly adapted  hence it is in request for paddle-wheel floats and . for shrouding water-wheels.

It is used in lining 'carts for conveying stoves and other heavy materials, as it does not splinter, and the same quality renders it fit for guard posts or fenders. Turners and tray makers may find many uses for willow-wood, and it is em ployed in making shoe lasts, light ladders, and the handles of light agricultural implements. Its incombustibility is so great that it is peculiarly suited for the flooring of buildings intended to be fireproof.

It is said that willow is not indigenous to either Europe or America, but seems, if tradition may be I relied upon, to have. been  accidentally introduced into both countries.

Tho poet Pope is credited with halving raised the first willow in England, from a slip sent him from Constantinople by' Lady "Mary 'Wortley. And it is claimed that, nearly two hundred years, a gentleman in New York received a package from Babylon,.'which contained a living shoot.

This lie planted it grew and flourished, and in two years became quite a tree. lt was the first willow seen, in America. The willow' leaf bears'; a strong y resemblance to the olive, both being lanceolate? -they are both, too long-lived .trees but, while tho olive is peculiarly a southern tree the willow flourishes in all climates, being found, even j inside the frigid zone where, of course, it is only, a mere shrub.