1 ( li )
2 of the Conservator, that nothing has as yet been done towards
3 solving the problem of growing this trec on a large scale. This,
4 the Conservator is of opinion, is owing to the irregular and un-
5 certain way in which the planting operations have been hitherto
6 conducted, and a useful circular treating the subject has been
7 issued to the officers of the Punjab (given in the appendix to this
8 report). ‘Lhis circular will be valuable to the officers of other
9 provinces also, and should be read with attention.
10 37. In Oudh a plantation has been commenced, with the
11 object of supplying the Railway with fuel, and up to date about 100
12 We ce ae ar. acres have been planted with
13 + A Arabrea sisd,* babul,+ and bamboos. The
14 experiment is proving so far fairly successful, though an inunda-
15 tion last September, caused by a sudden change in the course of
16 the river, washed away some 36 acres of ground which had been
17 planted imprudently too near the river.
18 3S Inthe Central Provinces, twenty acres have been added
19 to the Bankabarda plantation in Baittl, and 12,000 trees have
20 been planted out in the Garhakota plantation in Sagar. The
21 former of these plantations is well situated, and is a decided
22 success, but the results of the Sagar plantation are far from
23 satisfactory, mainly on account of the expense attendant on
24 constantly watering it. The Conservator, however, is of opinion
25 that, owing to the high price of timber in that locality, it would
26 not be expedient to give up the experiment withouta longer trial.
27 The Chief Commissioner has determined on the abandonment of the
28 Ahiri plantation near Mandla, as the locality has proved unsuit-
29 able for the growth of teak ; the planting operations at Hathibari
30 in Raipur are also closed on account of the remoteness of the
31 locality from all probable markets.
32 39. In Burma, opcrations have been confined to extending
33 the plantations in the Rangoon Division, as a concentration of
34 plantation work to one locality, to facilitate its supervision, has
35 been found desirable ; 356 acres have been added to the teak plan-
36 tations during the past vear, and the total area now planted out
37 amounts to 2,004 acres; the condition of the whole is satisfactory.
38 40. In Mysore, a sum amounting to upwards of Rs. 20,000
39 has been expended in the artificial raising of teak and sandal-
40 wood in plantations, but the results have not been as satisfactory
41 as might have been hoped. The sandal-wood tree thrives in-
42 digenously so well in many parts of the province that it would,
43 doubtless, be possible to rear it artificially also with success; to
44 accomplish this, however, a careful study and accurate knowledge
45 of the requisite physical conditions it demands for natural growth
46 are indispensable. As several of the trained Forest Officers have
47 been posted to Mysore, it is hoped that a more correct knowledge
48 of these conditions of its growth may be arrived at, and its
49 cultivation successfully carried on.
50 41. In Berar the teak plantations in the Tapti valley are
51 under charge of Mr. Ballantyne, an educated Scotch forester.
52 About 135 acres have been brought under cultivation during the
53 past year. ‘The whole area of the Berar plantations now cover
54 355 acres, and are all in a thriving condition.