PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION OF BASKET WILLOWS IN THE UNITED STATES FOR 1906 AND 1907. INTRODUCTION. This circular shows briefly the extent of the basket-willow industry in this country. The chief features in the consumption of basketwillow rods in 1907 were, first, an increase of more than 484,000 pounds over that of 1906; second, a slight advance in price for homegrown rods, particularly for the higher grades; and, third, a marked tendency on the part of manufacturers to grow their own stock, under improved methods of management, or, if they purchase stock, to use domestic willows of high grade. The statistics given were compiled from brief reports of 161 manufacturers of willow ware throughout the United States. These reports give the quantity of home-grown and imported willow rods consumed by each manufacturer during 1906 and 1907. It was impossible to obtain a statement from all basket makers, though the returns show approximately the value, relative importance, and proportional quantities of home-grown and imported stock consumed. The failure. of some firms to report, coupled with the imperfect list of manufacturers available and the lack of exact figures of quantities consumed prior to 1906, makes it impossible now to show with exactness the relative increase or decrease in the industry over a period of years. It is hoped that in the future willow-ware makers will cooperate more fully by responding to requests for information concerning quantities of stock used, so that future publications may contain more complete data. The Forest Service desires to acknowledge the hearty cooperation given by a large number of willow-ware manufacturers throughout the United States in furnishing the data upon which this circular is based. VARIETIES OF WILLOWS USED. Unfortunately, not all basket makers know the local or the scientific names of willows used in their factories. The principal willows grown in this country and used for regular trade ware are American green, purple (Welsh), and Lemley, and a number of subvarieties of these, known by different names in the various localities where they are Cir, 155 Importation in 1906 and 1907.... Consumption of home-grown basket willows in 1906 and 1907.. Peeled rods... Unpeeled rods... Total quantity of basket willow consumed in 1906 and 1907.. Willow ware manufactured in 1890 and 1900 8 8 9 10 10 11 11 13 13 Cir. 155 (3) |