WATTLES AND WATLLE-BARES. 
9 
putting the seed in cost about £15. Four years afterwards the wattles 
were simply thinned, and the bark of the thinnings 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. pycnantha ). 
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 56 lb. 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 . 
In the sixth (or following) year, a similar number of trees would be 
stripped, the bark having increased in weight say 14 lb., the increased 
yield of second stripping would therofore be 400 tons at £4, making... 
In the seventh year the remaining trees would be stripped, from which a 
still greater increase would bo obtained, say ISO tons at £1, maknig ... 
The aggregate yield of bark during the first eight years, 1,215 tom, 
amounting in value to ... £4,852 0 0 
£1,332 0 0 
1,600 0 0 
1,920 0 0 
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 0 0 
Ploughing 100 acres in drills 10 feet apart. 25 0 0 
Sowing wattles and actual cultivation, including cost of seed 37 10 0 
Supervision for eight years, say, £10 per annum . 80 0 0 
Pruning the trees, taking off useless wood, &c. (only 
necessary for two years), 10s. per acre. 50 0 0 
Incidental and unforeseen expenses.... 27 10 0 
Interest on the whole amount expended during eight years 240 0 0 
Actual cost of stripping and carting, as shown below* ... £1,515 0 0 
fProfit balance,exclusive of improvements or supplementary 
sowings. . ... £2,637 0 0 
700 0 0 
1,515 0 0 
2,637 0 0 
£4,852 0 0 
* The cost of stripping would not exceed 15s. per ton, on account of the facilities presented by the 
regularity 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 lie £1,515, leaving a clear profit on 100 acres (after allowing 
for primary expenditure) of £2,637. 
t 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. 
*A. decurrcns var. molliszrzA mollissima , this so called variety having again been raised to 
the rank of a species. J.H.M. 
