1 ( 19 )
2 117. India rubber plants. A few plants of the Ficus elastico, obtained
3 ftom Upper Burma with tlie aid of the Political Agent at Mandalay, have been
4 put out this rains in the Magayee plantation with 4 view to cultivating this spe-
5 cies over separate areas, as soon as the habits of the plant have been ascertain-
6 od. Inthe Burmese territory 2 considerable revenue is obtained from it; and
7 it seems advisable to attempt its introduction into plantations, with a view to
8 receiving a yearly return which may meet, or lessen, the cost of maintenance.
9 118. Tharrawaddie Division. Operations in this division had reference
10 merely to the maintenance and protection of existing plantations.
11 119. Choungwa Plantation of 1866, 1868, and 1870; (total area 340
12 acres), About two-thirds of the entire area of this plantation were freed from
13 rank grass and otlicr ovetgrowth which here springs up with amazing rapidity
14 consequent upon the richness of the soil.
15 This work was executed by the late Mr. Bligh, Assistant Conservator, at
16 a cost of Rs, 1,574-1,
17 120. The stumping or cutting back of a large number of the trees injured
18 by fire in 1870 was entrusted to the same officer.
19 121. It is satisfactory to note that the divisional officer by a careful and
20 judicious system ot firo-tracing and patrolling, on the part of an extra Goun
21 and four watchers, succeeded in entirely excluding fire from these plantations.
22 122, When examined by the Conservator in the rains, and subsequently,
23 the trees everywhere indicated most rapid growth. The intermixture of cutch
24 with teak over a part of the plantation of 1866 has been followed by such bad
25 results in the case of the latter species, as to make it evident that little or no
26 benefit accrues from close planting in the case of teak, if associated with trees of
27 thin light foliage.
28 123. Queaymakeing Plantation; (86 Acres). Similar operations were
29 conducted in this plantation: the entire area was freed from overgrowth at a
30 cost of Rs. 428-8, under the supervision of Forest Ranger Moung Way. Fire-
31 paths were formed, and two extra watchers successfully employed during the dry
32 months in excluding fire,
33 124, The following measurments of 10 trees by the divisional officer, in
34 January, contrast favorably with those recorded in para 152 of the previous
35 year's Administration Report. This number is however too small to give a cor-
36 rect estimate of the rate of growth :—
37 Height.
38 ft. in.
39 Maximum ie 40 ree on 17-0
40 Minimum ees oie ea ioe 6-0
41 Mean ees eee éée eve 12-2
42 Mean girth one + eas ase id
43 125. Afyodwin experimental Plantations; (10°75 Acres). These plantations
44 were examined by the divisional officer and the trees in most parts reported as
45 having made uniform progress. In the most successful portions, they have
46 reached approximately an average height of 45 feet, with fine clear stems about
47 15 inches in girth, although the oldest parts are barely of 10 years ago.
48 In the less promising portions, owing doubtless to defective drainage, the
49 trecs have attained an average height of 27 feet and a girth of 12 inches.