51 
for the tannie acid contained in the bark used in making hides 
merchantable. A great variety of these offer for selection, notably 
the “Black Wattle” (Acacia decurrens) of New South Wales, and 
(A. mollissima) of Tasmania. The feather-leaved varieties of wattles 
containing, according to localities, 15 to 30 per cent. of tannic 
acid in the dried bark. Their cultivation is easy; the seeds, whick 
retain their vitality for several years, are soaked in warm water 
before sowing, and thrive anywhere, particularly away from the 
coast or ironstone gravel formations or poor sandy soil with a clay 
subsoil to retain the moisture. The bark can be stripped in from 
five to ten years, and is worth £10 a ton in Melbourne. The wood 
is tough and can be used for staves, and supplies an excellent fuel. 
The “Golden Wattle’ (A. pycnentha, Bentham), of Victoria and 
South Australia, thrives on poor coastal land, where A. mollissima 
would not grow. 
In all cases proper attention should be bestowed on the live 
hedge, more especially during the early period of the growth of the 
trees, which should be trimmed periodically te secure a eluse base 
growth. Nothing looks more unsightly and is less efficacious than 
a badly kept life fence. : 
FENCING. 
In the first edition of this Handbook Mr. L. L. Cowen (late 
secretary to the Bureau of Agriculture) thus summarised the 
question of fencing :— 
“This Handbook is intended as much as a guide to the new- 
comer as to those already settled upon the land, and it would not 
be complete without a few words on fencing. In the more thickly 
settled districts vermin have almost disappeared, and any fence that 
is sheep-proof will be found to suit the vine and fruitgrower. The 
pioneer or the settler in a sparsely populated district will have to 
fence out vermin—boodey rats, opossums, and other rodents, which 
will, if permitted, commit incaleulable havoc in a young orchard 
or vineyard. Fortunately, there is neither the rabbit nor the hare” 
to be reckoned with; but the “boodies” and ’possums will be found 
to sorely try the patience of the settler. Particularly the latter, 
and it is a question whether such a thing as a ’possum-proof fence 
has yet been invented. To fence out ground vermin is not a diffi- 
cult matter, but to fence out the ’possum taxes one’s ingenuity very 
severely. 
“Before proceeding to discuss the different classes of fencing, 
it might be well to say a word or two about the different kinds of 
timber generally used in this State. The new-comer cannot do 
*The rabbit has since invaded portion of Westeru Australia, but no serious trouble 
is anticipated from the pest in fruit land. 
