V 
PREFACE. 
HIS pamphlet is issued to supply farmers, tanners, merchants, 
JL and others with authentic information in regard to the value 
of wattles. The demand for good wattle-bark becomes greater 
every year, while the supply does not cope with it. The cultiva¬ 
tion of wattles is not a theoretical matter; it is easy, remunerative, 
and has already entered the domain of practical farming. Aus¬ 
tralia is the native, country of wattles; they grow in the poorest 
soil, and require only a moderate rainfall. Their cultivation is 
strongly recommended to farmers who have a patch of poor soil 
which they cannot otherwise profitably utilize. The return is in 
about five to seven years, and attention to the wattle plantation 
can be chiefly given in the spare hours which are available on 
every farm. Farmers in some districts could be recommended to 
put as much land as possible under wattle, provided they had the 
means to wait. At present only the following wattles are recom¬ 
mended to be planted :— 
The South Australian Broad-leaved Wattle, Acacia pycnantha. 
The Sydney Black Wattle, Acacia decurrcns . 
The Tasmanian and Victorian Black Wattle, Acacia moliissima. 
At the same time, reference to the detailed information given in 
regard to other wattles will show that many of them are worthy 
of conservation if farmers have them on their land, and further 
experience may show that some are even worthy of local cultiva¬ 
tion. The three wattles specially mentioned, however, with their 
extended geographical range and proved value, are sufficient for 
all practical purposes at present. 
I desire to express my obligations to my assistant, Mr. R. T. 
Baker, and to Mr. IT. G. Smith, also of the Museum Staff, for 
valuable help. 
