1520

ARBORETUM AND FRUTICETUM.

PART III.

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After the tree was blown down, Mr. Holmes, a coachmaker residing in Lich-field, and the proprietor of the ground on which Johnson’s Willow stood,regretting that there was no young tree to plant in its stead, recollectedthat, the year before, a large branch had been blown down, part of whichhad been used as pea-sticks in his garden; and examined these, to see ifany of them had taken root. Finding that one had, he had it removed tothe site of the old tree, and planted there in fresh soil; a band of musicand a number of persons attending its removal, and a dinner being givenafterwards by Mr. Holmes to his friends, and the admirers of Johnson.The young tree is, at present, in a flourishing state, and 20 ft. high.Johnson’s Willow, at the time of its fall, was estimated to be of the age of130 years, and its greatest height appears to have been about 60 ft. Afterit was blown down, some of Johnson’s admirers, at Lichfield, had itsremains converted into snuff-boxes and similar articles.

Great as is the affinity, botanically speaking, between S. Russellidna andthe preceding species, S. fragilis, its economical properties are wholly dif-ferent. The timber of S. Russelhdrca is considered as the most valuable ofany of the willow tribe. So important is it as a plantation tree, that Mr.Lowe, in his Survey of the County of Nottingham, states that, at eight years’growth, the poles yielded a net profit of 214/. per acre; and, in two yearsmore, they would probably have produced 300/. per acre. The late GeorgeBiggin, Esq., of Crossgrove Priory, an able chemist, ascertained that the