WATTLES AND WATTLE-BARKS . 
13 
(b). AGE AND SIZE OF TREES. 
Wattle-bark should only be procured from mature trees, i.e., from those 
whose bark possesses the full natural strength. The Victorian Board states, 
as has already been noted, that bark-stripping may profitably commence at 
the end of the fifth year, and returns undoubtedly commence not latter than 
this period. Mr. J. E. Brown strips his wattles at about 6 years of age, but 
the exact period can only be decided by the cultivator’s common sense. Mr'. 
A. Bucknall mentions that wattle trees mature ill seven years in the Majorca 
plantation, Ballarat. Mr. AV. Ferguson of Victoria makes the general 
statement that none should be cut under 5 inches in diameter, — a reason¬ 
able suggestion which might be enforced, on Crown lands, by legislative 
enactment. 
Some people fell their wattles before stripping, and use the wood for fire¬ 
wood. Bark-strippers as a rule leave about a third of the bark on the tree, 
besides leaving unsightly dead trees. It should also be borne in mind that 
dead and decaying trees are a source of danger to the plantation, owing to 
the harbour they give to insect pests. The matter of utilizing the bark on 
the twigs, &c., will be alluded to below. 
Mr. Thrupp states, as his experience, that greater weight of bark can be 
produced in five years when cultivated, as against 8 year old bark grown in its 
natural state ( Joum . S. A. Bureau Agric ., April , 1S90). It is to be hoped 
that farmers and others will institute sorno experiments with the view to 
estimate the improvement in quantity and quality of wattle-bark under cul¬ 
tivation, but such experiments, to be conclusive, must have the data carefully 
checked, in order to make sure that the comparisons of wild and cultivated 
trees are as fair as possible. 
(c). EXPORT, PACKING, &c. 
In regal'd to the preparation of bark for export, the following letter from 
a well-known London firm of brokers, which appeared in the Leather Trades 
Circular and Review of the 8th March, 18S7, is valuable :—• 
“In reply to a question as to the best form in which to ship mimosa 
(wattle) bark, we beg to state that the trade, as a rule, prefer it ground, so 
long as they can be sure it is not adulterated. Some few, however, cannot 
be satisfied unless they grind it themselves. AVo should recommend ship¬ 
ments of well ground, with a few parcels chopped or crushed in bags , but as 
we know that freight is heavier on the latter, and buyers expect a reduction 
of from 10s. to 20s. per ton to cover cost of grindiug, the former will 
generally be most satisfactory to shippers. AVe think that the strength is 
better preserved in the chopped than in the ground, but there is nothing we 
s can suggest as an improvement on the best standard marks of Adelaide 
ground. If shipments of chopped be made, it should on no account be shot 
loose in the ship’s hold.” 
Barks are sent iuto commerce in one or more of four forms: — 
1. In the bundle. 
2. Chopped, i.e., into pieces a few inches in length. 
3. Ground, forming a substance something like “towand 
4. Powdered, that is of course, if the bark is not too fibrous to permit 
of this being done. It is not desirable to push the process of 
grinding too far, as wattle-bark is no exception to the generality 
of powders, in forming “ balls” when thrown into water when too 
finely ground. 
