THE WATTLE PI-ANT AT ION 



^ 



bage, have been forced to look for a change in diet and 

 are now becoming true tree feeders in the plantation. 

 As examples may be mentioned various Arctiidae, 

 Psychidae, and Tineid and Cossid-like bagworms. 



Effects of thi:3 present methods of wattle 



GROWING on the INSECT PROBLEM. 



Now let us consider what the average wattle grower, 

 having increased his insect enemies beyond measure, does 

 to offset this by his methods of wattle growing. We 

 will therefore follow a plantation from its start to the 

 harvesting and preparation for the second crop. 



One of our prominent wattle growers, in a recent article 

 in the Agricultural Press published the following 

 sarcastic comment on the methods in vogue. '' A common 

 idea of wattle growing appears to be '^ breaking up the 

 land, anyhow, jjlanting the seed, anyhow, and "leaving 

 tlie trees to look after themselves, also anyhow ", an in- 

 dictment which still applies to a great many, — yes, I 

 should almost say the majority of wattle growers, if not 

 entirely, at least in part. Of course, the old method of 

 sowing the seed broadcast, with or without sufficient 

 preparation of the soil, and leaving the trees entirely 

 to look after themselves is, entomologically speaking, 

 entirely hopeless, and is now rapidly becoming obsolete, 

 being abandoned in favour of other methods which 

 ])romise a better chance of success from a commercial 

 point of view, but between this and the newer procedure 

 all stages may still be found. We will therefore discuss 

 only the latter advanced ideas, bearing in mind that, the 

 farther removed from these new methods, the more hope- 

 less the style from the point of the economic entomologist. 



Preparing the land. 



It is now advised to carefully plough the land 

 at such a time as will best ensure the eradication of 

 grasses and weeds, especially those of the perennial kind. 

 This ploughing can be done in the late fall or early spring. 



