G 



At the irrigation farm at Islington, near Adelaide, Mr. J. E. Brown planted 40 acres in wattles. 

 " The seed was simply soaked in hot water and broad-casted, and the soil afterwards harrowed with 

 brush harrow ; altogether, the whole expense of seed, preparation of the ground, and putting the seed 

 in cost about £15. Four years afterwards the wattles were simply thinned, and the bark of the thin- 

 nings realized £25, thus more than refunding the original outlay. Next year I hope the thinning will 

 realize something like £3 per acre. In three years time from this we purpose stripping the whole 

 crop, when I am certain it will realize at least £50 per acre. 



Detailed Estimates. 



1. The following statement showing the profit to be derived from the systematic cultivation of 

 wattles, was compiled from the evidence given before the Board of Enquiry on Wattle Cultivation, 

 Melbourne, 1878, and forms an appendix to their report. (The Board recommend A. decurrens * and 

 A. pyenantha). 



Receipts derivable from a Wattle Plantation of say 100 acres, planted in the manner proposed — 

 Each acre planted with wattles, 10 feet apart, would carry 400 



trees; at the end of fifth year, trees would yield say 561bs. 



matured bark ; stripping only every third tree 333 tons 



would be obtained off 100 acres ; this, at £4 per ton, 



would give at first stripping ... £1,332 



In the sixth (or following) year, a similar number of trees would 



be stripped, the bark having increased in weight say 



141bs., the increased yield of second stripping would 



therefore be 400 tons at £4, making ... 1,600 



In the seventh year the remaining trees would be stripped, from 



which a still greater increase would be obtained, say 480 



tons at £4, making 1,920 

 The aggregate yield of bark during the first eight years, 1,215 



tons, amounting in value to ... £4,852 



Estimate of Expenditure on a Wattle Plantation of 100 acres during eight years — 



Rent of 100 acres for eight years, at 6s. per acre per annum ... £240 



Ploughing 100 acres in drills 10 feet apart ... 25 



Sowing Wattles and actual cultivation, including cost of seed ... 37 10 



Supervision for eight years, say £10 per annum ... 80 

 Pruning the trees, taking off useless wood, &c, (only necessary 



for 2 years) 10s. per acre ... 50 



Incidental and unforeseen expenses ... 27 10 



Interest on the whole amount expended during eight years ... 240 700 O 



Actual cost of stripping and carting, as shown belowf ... 1,515 1,515 



% Profit balance, exclusive of improvements or supplementary 



sowings ... £2,637 2,637 



£4,852 



2. The following estimate is by Mr. J. E. Brown, and is taken from a Report by that gentleman to 

 the South Australian Legislative Council in 1884. (Mr. Brown recommends A., pyenantha ) : — 



Revenue. 



To value of property increased and improvements, say ... £400 



" value of 500 tons of bark, at £5 per ton ... 2,500 



Expenditure. 

 By purchase of 100 acres, at £3 per acie 

 " cost of substantial fence all round, say 1^ mile at £50 per mile 

 " ploughing 100 acres, at 8s. per acre 

 " of 30 lbs. of seed, at Is. per fl> 

 " labour, sowing the seed in rows, say, at 5s. per acre 

 " scarifying between the rows twice, at 4s. per acre 

 " thinning and pruning for two years, at 10s. per acre per annum 

 " forming fire-breaks during the third to seventh year, say, £5 

 per annum 



£300 











75 











40 











1 



10 







25 











20 











100 











25 











* A decurrens var. mollis — A. mollissima, this so called variety having again been raised to the rank of 

 a species. J. H. M. 



f The cost of stripping would not exceed 15s. per ton, on account of the facilities presented by the regu- 

 larity of the trees, while carting would represent another 10s. per ton. These combined charges would be 

 25s. per ton, and on 1,215 tons would be £1,515, leaving a clear profit on 100 acres (after allowing for pri- 

 mary expenditure) of £2,637. 



% In addition to the bark taken off the land, a fresh supply would be available in two years afterwards, 

 as the Board recommend that every tree stripped should be replaced by another sowing. All improvement 

 effected may be calculated as additional profit. 



