1 12
2 20. In Nandidroog Range eight miles of demarcation lines were cut to the full
3 width of 21 fect round the Killekaval forest, at a cost of Rs. 13—3—1 per mile. In
4 Bilikal 41 miles of demarcation were cut to full width at a cost of Ns, 27—6—9 per
5 mile. In Maddagiri 17 miles were demarcated at Rs, 20-4-1 per mile, and Rs, 87-6-9
6 were spent in reclearing the Dévariyadroog lines, Hight fuel reserves were taken up in
7 the Ka4nakanahalli and Closepéte Talooks ; of these Handigundiin Closepéte (5,000 acres)
8 was demarcated to a width of 10 feet for a distance of 23: miles. The other seven blocks
9 were marked off by large heaps of stones, and will be demarcated this year.
10 PLANTATIONS.
11 21. Nagar Range~-Lakkuvalli Plantation. —No extensions were heremade. During
12 the year I brought to the notice of the Chief Commissioner tho fact that, as long as the
13 intended operations of the Madras Irrigation Company remained unknown to us, the
14 best sites for teak plantations were lying unutilized. The Madras Government was then
15 written to, and some plans and surveys of the Irrigation Company were sent up. From
16 these it would appear that the operations of the Company, if carried out, would swamp
17 the old Lakkuvalli plantation, about one-third of the Lakkuvalli State-forest, and the forest
18 round Hebbe, besides turning much of the country side into a swamp and stoppmg
19 communications. It is to be hoped that somothing definite regarding the long deferred
20 operations of this Company may be soon settled.
21 22. Sakrebail Teak Plantations—In March 1871 there were 25,698 young trecs
22 here. The place was weeded twice, but the undergrowth in March was again so dense,
23 and rendered counting so difficult that the Deputy Conservator thought it better not to
24 attempt it, as the results would not be reliable. Fires were successfully kept out; but
25 as reported last year, no extensions will be made.
26 23. Ilebbe Teak Plantations.—Between the time of Mr. Dobbs’ death and Captain
27 Jarrett’s joining, the range was in charge of an officer of tho Department Public Works,
28 who naturally could give but little timo to it, and this experimental plantation was left
29 entirely to the care of a Méstri, supervised at times by the Ranger. Three acres were
30 planted out with 3,300 seedlings, of which in March 1871, 2,830 were alive. Captain
31 Jarrett found that the work had not been properly done, the clearing and working of
32 the soil having been neglected. IJehad it dug over and weeded at a cost of Rs, 86-3-0,
33 and the seedlings have since improved in appearance. The plantation will bo extended
34 and more carefully tended this ycar.
35 24, Lucalyptus Plantations—These have been on the whole failurcs. The blue gum
36 was tried at Santavéri, Sringéri, Sampajihalla, Sankara, Sakrebail, and Shimoga.
37 Out of 6,490 seedlings raised and put out, 5,816 ‘died, leaving only 674 alive. The Deputy
38 Conservator proposes this year to limit the experiments to one spot only, and as an
39 officer will now be able to supervise the work | trust it will be more successful.
40 25. Sandal Reserves—The sowing of sandal-seed by dibbling in those reserves,
41 under natural shade was again adopted this year; but though these seeds verminated freely,
42 very few survived Lhe hot weather. I requested the Deputy Conservator to try an
43 experiment in sowing sandal with chilli seed in ploughed ground. He reports its failure,
44 but gives no details ; which will be called for.
45 26, Ashtagram Range.—<A plot of ground, 53 acres in extent, was felled and burnt
46 ready for planting up with teak during the monsoon of 1872—73. The sowings of teak
47 in 100 acres of partially cleared forest germinated freely, but the seedlings died out in
48 large numbers during the hot weather, and I have come to the conclusion that the
49 cheapest way of propagating the teak tree is to plant it out in regularly cleared spots
50 properly prepared for the seedlings.
51 27. Sandalwood Reserves—Tho Gurupura reserve was largely extended and cn-
52 Closed this ycar. It now stretchcsabout 3} miles along the Hunastiru-Heggadadévanakdéto