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APPENDIX. 
(a) Walking-sticks and Umbrella handles from New South Wales. 
Walking-sticks,.canes, umbrella-handles, &c., of one sort or another are always 
in demand. Bizarre-looking sticks, such as saplings with twiners round them, simulat¬ 
ing a snake, are out of fashion. The taste is for sticks of moderate size and symmetrical 
appearance. At present, although we import a very large number of finished sticks, 
our quota to the world’s supply of raw sticks is mainly limited to a few Mitchenbills 
or Walking-stick Palms ( Kentia monostachya) . It is a matter of everyday remark 
that sticks of a useful or ornamental character are noticed in the bush, and are 
either passed by or cut down for temporary use and then cast away. But in the 
ornamental or curiously shaped sticks that we so often see in the bush, I see a 
prospective minor industry. The collecting of sticks is not going to rival gold¬ 
mining, but the accumulation of them at odd times (like the gathering of certain 
gums and resins) will be remunerative as soon as our people have learnt how and 
what to collect. Sticks of the kind required will not take up much room, nor are 
they objectionable in any way. If each family in the hush cau make just a few 
pounds a year out of sticks, it will he with no interference with the ordinary duties 
of each member; but it will only lead to disappointment if sticks be gathered with¬ 
out reference to what will probably be required, and therefore the hints which follow 
are commended to careful consideration. 
[Circular.] 
I am collecting information in regard to the suitability and availableness of Australian saplings 
and timbers for walking-sticks, umbrella and parasol handles, and I shall be grateful if you will help me 
in the inquiry. 
I have jotted down the following general notes re walking-sticks. They should possess— 
(a) Rigidity 
(b) Strength. 
(c) A good root or excrescence to form a handle. 
Weight is not material. Straightness is not absolutely essential, as any sticks can be straightened 
by suitable processes. They should taper to the end. There should be facilities for collection and 
shipping, as they would require to be delivered at the port of shipment at a very low rate. 
Sticks are of two kinds :— 
1. Those cut out from the solid, e.g., Forest Oak, Native Pear, Blackwood, Red Ironbark, and 
the outer portion of the stem of the Cabbage Palm. (These are now of no value in 
Europe.—J.H.M.) 
2. Saplings, such as Tea-trees, Wattles, small Palms, and innumerable others. It is to this 
. class that we should mainly look for suitable sticks. 
There are innumerable kinds of suitable saplings to be obtained, and they might be procured at odd 
times by children and others, kept until a fair number accumulate, and then disposed of. 
In the course of this inquiry I put myself into communication with Messrs. 
Henry Howell & Co., Cane and Stick manufacturers, of 180, Old-street, London, 
