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1 Nov., 1899.] ‘QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL, JOURNAL. 3 503 
past 10 years he had experimented in wattle-growing in this district, and proved 
that they can be grown on almost any land that is over 8 feet above the level 
of the winter flood waters. A few months ago he stripped a wattle seven years 
old that gave over 1 ewt. of bark fit tor market. Trees of that size standing 
20 feet apart each way would give over 5 tons per acre. That tree was grown 
on a limestone ridge (red soil), and he had them of nearly equal growth on the 
fern hills (white sand). As there are thousands of acres of open fern land in 
this district almost useless for grazing, and eminently suited for wattle-growing, 
he would strongly urge leaseholders to give that industry a trial. Such land 
is leased at from 3d. to 2d. an acre annually. About four years ago he 
planted 1 acre of fern land, and now estimates the wattles on it to be 
worth £8 to £10. Although the wattle has never been systematically cul- 
tivated at Mount Benson, in the Kingston district, still it grows there over a 
considerable area, and last season no less than 1,200 tons of bark was stripped 
and sent to market, the price received ranging from £3 15s. to £4 per ton; and as 
stripping costs £1 per ton, it means £1,200 being distributed amongst thelabouring 
classes of the district, and about £8,500 amongst the landholders and teamsters, 
The bark grown at Mount Benson is deficient in tannic acid, consequently a 
lower price has to be taken. Where only a small area is to be planted he found 
the following a good plan:—Commence at one side of the field, using a double 
furrow plough, strike out the length of the piece to be planted, then mark out 
_ back again parallel with the first furrows and about 8 feet away from them, and. 
so on through the field. Then take 1 Ib. of good seed for each acre, place in a 
vessel, and cover with boiling water, and allow them to soak for 24 hours, then 
drop them regularly along the ploughed strips and cover with a harrow. The 
next year it will be necessary to thin out the plants in the rows to the required 
distance. Where large areas are to be cultivated it would save time and labour 
to have a box fitted to the back of the plough with a roller through it, and 
worked by a belt with the near wheel, and so made to drop a seed or two at 
each revolution, and a small harrow attached would complete the planting in 
one operation.» One team should do 8 acres a day. About every 5 chains it is 
advisable to leave a strip 16 feet wide unplanted for the purpose of drawing 
furrows in summer to check a possible fire, and later on as a roadway for 
carting out the bark. He could not recommend broadcast sowing, as there is 
so much more Jabour in ploughing all the land, and the work of thinning out 
the young plants is yery much greater. He would strongly advise that onl 
seed of the true broad-leaf wattle should be planted, as it 1s doubtful whether 
it will pay to grow any other variety, the bark of which will be worth quite 20 
per cent. less. Horses may be allowed the free run of a wattle paddock, but 
cattle should be kept out altogether, and sheep should not be allowed in until 
the tops of the plants are out of reach, as they are very fond of the young 
shoots. He felt certain that if the bark had no market value it would pay well 
to plough fern hills, and sow 3 or 4: lb. of seed per acre broadcast, and keep all 
stock out for three years, by which time the wattles would provide a very large 
amount of feed for either cattle or sheep. 
THE FORESTS OF STBERTA. 
A arear portion of the undeveloped wealth of Siberia lies in its forests. But, 
with the continuous opening up of the country, it has been found that these 
forests are far from being of such importance in this respect as was generally 
supposed. In those regions of Siberia which have been more particularly 
developed, as, for example, the southern portion of the province of Tobolsk, in 
the central region of Tomsk, and in the Altai district, the lack of forests is 
keenly felt. This is seen from the fact that the above districts were not able 
eyen to furnish the necessary wood for the construction of the Trans-Siberian 
Railway. The immense forests which stretch away to the north bear evident 
traces of having been worked for centtiries in an abnormal manner, and in 
addition forest fires have played great havoe with them. 
