PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. 



nr^HIS pamphlet is issued to supply farmers, tanners, merchants, 

 and others, with authentic information in regard to the value 

 of wattles. The demand for good wattle bark becomes greater 

 every year, while the supply does not cope with it. The cultiva- 

 tion of wattles is not a theoretical matter ; it is easy, remunerative, 

 and has already entered the domain of practical farming. Aus- 

 tralia is the native country of wattles ; they will grow in the 

 poorest soil, and some require only a moderate rainfall. Their 

 cultivation is strongly recommended to farmers who have a patch 

 of poor soil which they cannot otherwise profitably utilize. The 

 return is in about five to seven years, and attention to the wattle 

 plantation can be chiefly given in the spare hours which are 

 available on every farm. Farmers in some districts could be 

 recommended to put as much land as possible under wattle, pro- 

 vided they had the means to wait. At present only the following 

 wattles are recommended to be planted : 



The South Australian Broad-leaf Wattle, Acacia pycnantha, 

 and the various varieties of Acacia decurrens, generally 



known as Black or Green Wattle. 



At the same time, reference to the detailed information given in 

 regard to other wattles will show that many of them are worthy 

 of conservation if farmers have them on their land, and further 

 experience may show that some are even worthy of local cultivation. 

 The wattles specially mentioned, however, with their extended 

 geographical range and proved value, are sufficient for all practical 

 purposes at present. 



