54 TREE CULTURE IN SOUTH AUSTRAIIA. 



grown -with great advantage and profit to their owners without inter- 

 fering with the really available cropping land of the farm. Besides, 

 such spots could then be made to present a fine clothed appearance, 

 which are at present of an unsightly character in the landscape. While, 

 therefore, pointing out to our farmers the advantages of planting timber- 

 trees on their farms, I cannot miss this opportunity to strongly advocate 

 the formation by them of wattle plantations as well. These are easy and 

 cheap of formation, they fill up poor and unsightly spots as I have 

 already pointed out, and what is also of considerable importance, the 

 returns from them are quick and valuable. 



I consider this matter of such importance that I will now endeavor to 

 give some general instructions in regard to the formation of wattle 

 plantations. 



In a few years' time, after proper trial, I hope to see many kinds of 

 trees cultivated in the colony for the purpose of yielding tannin- 

 producing bark, but I question if anything we can introduce will be 

 able to compete with the bark of our indigenous wattles. This is 

 so rich in tannic acid that it readily sells in the European market at 

 from £12 to £16 per ton. It is said to be 50 per cent, more valuable 

 in tannin than the bark of oak or larch ; and I am aware that it 

 realises fully one-half more per ton than anything grown at home. 

 Moreover, if we also look at the more rapid rate of growth of the 

 wattle than of the exotic trees, there is much to be said in favor of 

 the cultivation of the former. 



Those wattles which I more particularly refer to, and which yield 

 the mimosa bark of commerce, are: — 



Acacia pycnantha, or the common broad-leaved wattle of the colony. 

 It grows from 15ft. to 25ft. in height, and from Sin. to lOin. in diameter 

 at the base. The period of maturity may be put down at from seven to 

 ten years, but the bark contains most tannin when the tree is about five 

 to six years old. The tree grows on all kinds of soils. This is the most 

 valuable of our wattles, and the bark produces from 30 to 35 per cent, 

 of tannin. 



Acacia decurrens, or the common black wattle. — This is a tree of 

 much quicker growth, and one which attains to larger dimensions of 

 timber than A. pycnantha. In five or six years' time it will attain a 

 height of 40ft. and from 12in. to 24in. in diameter. It can be stripped 

 when four or five years old, or sooner, if necessary. Grows upon all 

 sorts of soils, but seems to do best on those of a sandy-loam character. 

 The bark produces from 20 to 33 per cent, of tannic acid. 



Wattles may very judiciously be grown (1st) on poor spots where 

 timber trees will not grow to profitable dimensions ; (2nd) in masses, on 

 exposed parts, so as to act as shelter to more valuable trees to leeward ; 

 and (3rd) as " nurses" on certain spots, so as to protect and encourage 

 the growth of timber trees which are intended to occupy the ground 

 as the permanent crop. 



In order to expedite and cheapen, as much as possible, the operation 

 of forming wattle plantations, it is necessary that the seeds of. the trees 

 be sown on the sites which the plants are to occupy. Both of the species 



