iB WATTLES AND WATTLE-BARKS. 



a prejudice to contend against. Thus, speaking of New South Wales bark 

 at the Sydney sales, that from Braidwood and Bega sells readily, while " 

 southern bark is greatly preferred to northern. Now these distinctions are 

 based upon the solid rock of mature experience, but it is an undoubted fact 

 that they are sometimes pushed too far. Wool is judged critically ; the 

 time will come when bark will be judged as critically on its merits with the 

 advancement of technical education. 



(*.) EXPORT, PACKING, &c. 



In regard to the preparation of bark for export, the following letter from 

 a .well-known London firm of brokers, which appeared in the Leather Trades' 

 Circular and Review of the 8th March, 1887, is valuable : 



"In reply to a question as to the best form in which to ship mimosa 

 (wattle) bark, we beg to state that the trade, as a rule, prefer it ground, so 

 long as they can be sure it is not adulterated. Some few, however, cannot 

 be satisfied unless they grind it themselves. We should recommend ship- 

 ments of well ground, with a few parcels chopped or crushed in bags, but as 

 we know that freight is heavier on the latter, and buyers expect a reduction 

 of from 10s. to 20s. per ton to cover cost of grinding, the former will gene- 

 rally be most satisfactory to shippers. We think that the strength is better 

 preserved in the chopped than in the ground, but there is nothing we can 

 suggest as an improvement on the best standard marks of Adelaide ground. 

 If shipments of chopped be made, it should on no account be shot loose in 

 the ship's hold." 



Barks are sent into commerce in one or more of four forms : 



1. In the bundle. 



" In this form its quality can be more readily judged; but when the 

 supply of mature trees became diminished, nearly all the bark 

 was chopped or ground prior to shipment, good and inferior being 

 bagged together." 



2. Chopped, i.e., into pieces a few inches in length. 



In the Sydney market bark is usually sold chopped, in bags. 



3. Ground, forming a substance something like " tow" ; and 



4. Powdered, that is of course, if the bark is not too fibrous to permit 



of this being done. It is not desirable to push the process of 

 grinding too far, as wattle-bark is no exception to the generality of 

 powders, in forming "balls" when thrown into water when too 

 finely ground. 



