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2 soil fairly irrigated are all required. There must be, firstly, good stems,
3 and secondly, skilful preparation of the fibre. Both objects are probably
4 beyond the ordinary power of a Punjabee farmer; and then if he were
5 successful, it might happen that the same soil and culture would have
6 ~produced superior crops, more valuable even than flax. The thing can,
7 however, be done especially with the advantage of European seed.
8 There are several Districts which offer natural facilities and .in which it
9 is probable that farmers may be found who, with suitable encouragement
10 both will, and can, grow flax; and thus eventually a new product may
11 be introduced into a province where such staples are much needed.
12 FoRESTS AND ARBORICULTURE.
13 195. Though thé Plains of the Punjab are proverbially bare of trees,
14 Sources of timber sup. Yet the Himalayan Ranges overhanging its
15 ply. northern Wrder, produce noble forests, and give
16 birth to rivers that will float down the finest timber to the stations, and
17 cities of the champaign, where the great and numerous public works create
18 a vast demand for this article. Of these forest-clad ranges, some belong
19 ‘to the Maha Rajah Goolab Sing, some to the British Government and its
20 dependent principalities. The Maha Rajah himself is the monopolist of
21 the timber trade in his dominions. His Highness’ servants cut the tower-
22 ing trees on the mountain side, and precipitate the logs into the stream,
23 which bears them downwards till it debouches from the Hills into the Plains,
24 where depéts are established, and where the floating logs are caught by
25 swimmers. Then the timber passes into the hands of native dealers,
26 The British Government however being a great consumer of timber, found
27 itself unable to depend on any extraneous agency for supply, and was
28 obliged to establish agencies under its own Officers,
29 and tg obtain timber by a similar method to that
30 employed by the Maha Rajah. One Agency was established at Sealkote
31 (near the Chenab. River), another at Jhelum on the river of that name
32 (since abandoned), another at Shahpore on the River Ravee (also aban-
33 -doned), another at Pangee in the Hills near the sources of the Chenab.
34 At present however there is but one Agency, the head-quarters of which
35 are at Sealkote, with a branch at Pangee, and thus the.Chenab is now
36 the only river used by the British Government for transport of its timber.
37 Timber Agencies,