364 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. 1 10 Jtke, 1910. 



wattle, Acacia pycnantha, produces large leaves in eultivtition. The 

 foliage of both of these wattles is very like that of a large eucalypt. 

 Acacia elata, the cedar wattle, has bold pinnate foliage, like a very 

 much enlarged pepper tree leaf. Some of the acacias have a notably 

 glaucous or blue-green colour of foliage, and are thus very suitable for 

 foliage colour schemes in the shrub or tree garden. Acacia podylaria- 

 folia, the Queensland silver or Mount Morgan wattle, Acacia Baileyana, 

 the Cootamundra wattle, Acacia cultriformis, the knife-leaved wattle, 

 Acacia dealhata, the silver wattle, Acacia pravissima, the Ovens wattle 

 and Acacia vestita, the hairy wattle, all possess this valuable charac- 

 teristic. 



It has been mentioned that the genus Acacia is very variable as to 

 size; and it is this characteristic that brings the wattle within the range 

 of every gardener, so that specimens may be planted in garden borders, 

 in the shrubberies, as hedges, and in the tree sections or parks. Thus 

 Acacia myrtifolia is a low-growing shrub, so is Acacia vestita; the Sun- 

 shine wattle, Acacia discolor, is another; then Acacia spectahilis. Acacia 

 podylarix folia, Acacia longifolia, Acacia dodomef olia , are somewhat 

 larger; while Acacia Baileyana, Acacia mclanoxylon, and Acacia elata 

 quickly become trees. 



In the matter of soils, the wattles are very accommodating; they 

 will grow in almost any soil, provided it is not crudely rich, nor over- 

 charged with animal manure. They will thrive in a poor soil, a loamy 

 soil, or any soil in which the animal manure has been long and 

 thoroughly decomposed. A peaty or leaf-mould soil suits them very 

 well. 



It is not wise, at any time, to give them crude animal manure. A 

 small amount of chemical manure, such as bonedust, superphosphate, 

 or blood manure is not objectionable. These facts are emphasized, 

 because where wattles are grown in mixed garden beds or borders, 

 manuring of all kinds is carried out, and stable manure is the common 

 fertilizer used. When that is the case, it will be well to keep the manure 

 away from the butts and roots of the wattles. Myrtle acacia, Acacia 

 myrtifolia particularly resents stable manure, so does Acacia stricta. 

 I have seen the foliage of the latter become quite golden as a result of 

 manuring with animal manure. The bush remained so for a couple of 

 seasons, and then died. The golden wattle, Acacia pycnantha, which is 

 perhaps our most glorious wattle, will not take animal manure at all. 

 This species also protests against excessive Avatering, particularly in 

 summer. I have seen well-nourished, vigorous trees, trees 10 and 12 

 feet in height, die in a few days in summer, as a result of over-watering. 



When one considers that the natural habitat of this species is on 

 the hard, di'y, stony hills, all over Australia, and it is not at all a 

 denizen of the cool, moist valleys, its protest against excessive moisture 

 is not to be wondered at. 



Most of the wattles grow naturally under hard, dry conditions, and 

 to force them with either manure or water, or both, in garden soils, is 

 to create quick-growing, weak plants, which will neither thrive nor live 

 for any period, nor give general satisfaction. So that an average 

 amount of water, particularly in summer time, will give far tlie best 

 results. 



{To he continued.) 



