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lunnic acid, but one from the Shoalliaven River yielded the respectable result of 28-6 percent, of tauiiio 
acid. This result haviug been once reached can be attained again, and there are doubtless thousands 
of tons of Lilly Pilly bark in New South Wales containing nearly 30 per cent, of tannic acid, but not in any 
way utilised. Experiments such as these throw a little sidelight on the marvellous unused and 
unappreciated wealth produced by the indigenous plants of New South Wales. Sooner or later this 
wealth will be utilised. 
In the same journal for 13th August, 1892, the previous article was followed 
up as follows : 
I expressed a desire for Lilly Pilly bark to be put to a practical test, as the laboratory determinations 
of tannic acid had proved so satisfactory. Mr. Thomas Shepherd, tanner -and leather factor, of Cambewarra, 
a few miles from Moss Vale, has had the public spirit to very carefully submit Lilly Pilly bark and good 
Black Wattle bark to comparative tests with hides as far as possible alike. An account of his labour 
is given in his own words, and it has been his endeavour to state the case for and against Lilly Pilly bark 
bark as fairly as possible. It will be observed that the chief objection to it lies in the colour of the 
leather, but the leather is superior to Wattle leather both in texture and strength. Surely this is most 
encouraging. As far as I know, Lilly PilJy bark has not been utilised on a commercial scale hitherto. 
If it be still unutilised, neglect of it will mean the waste of thousands of tons of a useful, cheap and 
readily available tan bark. It is true that Wattle bark is comparatively low at present, but it has crept 
up and up in price during the last few years, and (until the Wattle plantations are in full bearing) the 
demand even exceeds the local supply, and leaves no margin for export. The use of Lilly Pilly bark 
should render some of our choice Wattle bark available for export. Besides the Lilly Pilly, I hope to bring 
under the notice of the readers of the Mail the very important fact that we have other valuable tan-barks 
as well. In fact, the coast forests of New South Wales are teeming with wealth, not only in timber, but 
in bark; and it is a favourable sign that people engaged in local industries are seriously turning their 
attention to this vegetable wealth. The exploitation of it will yield steady and satisfactory results, 
neither as brilliant nor as disappointing as many mining ventures. 
Through reading your papers, writes Mr. Shepherd, on tan substances of New South Wales, in 
which you give an assay of Lilly Pilly bark, and expressed a desire that it should be put to practical 
tests, I have carried out your wish, and herewith give you my results. Some time back I procured 100 
bundles of Lilly Pilly bark. I had it finely ground, and one-half was put in the tan-pit with clean water 
to spend it, and for six days heated it with steam. Then the remainder of the bark was placed in No. 2 
pit, and the liquor from No. 1 pumped on to it, slightly heating it for three days, and allowed to remain 
for two days to get thoroughly cold. The liquor was then pumped off for tanning. Sixty sides for kip 
leather which had just been coloured, were placed in it, handled each day for four weeks, and thoroughly 
tanned. The leather I found very easy to work; in fact, the softest cutting I ever had anything to do 
with, and, what was most singular, it had all the appearances of being hard, very dark in colour, and with 
cloudy grain, with scarcely any difference to cut on any portion of the sides, the softest or coarsest fibre 
parts showing just as smooth or close surface as the hardest. The tan, or rather stain, I should call it, 
from its action upon the hands, has this objection. It stains them just as if they were immersed in lime 
and then in tan liquor, and the stain can only be removed with pumice-stone. Several times during the 
day I had to wash my hands in a strong solution of sulphuric acid to remove a hard, gummy feeling from 
them in order that I might retain a firm hold upon the knife used in shaving the hides. 
I am of opinion that Lilly Pilly is a very fine tan for light-dressed leather, being soft, and well 
filled, and should wear well. With this I send you leather shavings from three different parts of two sides 
respectively treated with Lilly Pilly and Wattle tannage. Each side has been treated similarly to the 
other, and the sides chosen as nearly alike as my judgment would lead me. Each of the three parts of 
the sides is taken from cheek, rib, and butt respectively, and each shows both flesh and grain. The half 
side or side cheek just under the jawbone yields always coarse fibre, and is difficult to cut ; the rib is close 
and easy to cut ; the butt hard, brittle, and hard to cut in Wattle tan. But with Lilly Pilly tan there is 
not perceptible difference in cheek, rib, and butt. In fact, there is no variation, even in the bellies, which 
show close and good surface and are easily cut. I intend to put the two sides (tanned with Lilly Pilly and 
Wattle respectively) to a further comparative test, viz., wearing, the result of which I will inform you. 
