1 ( 14)
2 68. Miscollaneous collections under heads ‘‘ pormit fees,” “rent paid by
3 squatters,” “grazing dues,” and “licenses to cut bam-
4 boos and fire-wood,” amounted to Rs. 3,999, exclusive
5 of India-rubber. In the two previous years they amounted to Rs. 3,414 and
6 Rs. 3,424.
7 Miscellaneous collections.
8 69. The collections of India-rubber amounted
9 during the year to 286 maunds, tho cost of which
10 was as follows :—
11 Collections in India-rubber.
12 Rs, A. P.
13 Paid to Collectors at Rs. 10 per maund .. 2,860 0 0
14 Packing and delivery at Calcutta i e 897 0 0
15 Total .. 3,457 0 0
16 The amount realized by sale was Rs. 18,136-13-0, being at an average rate
17 of Rs. 63-6-0 per maund.
18 70. The first collections on India-rubber in Cooch Behar were made in
19 1870-71, when the samples sent to brokers were
20 valued at Rs. 45 per maund. Great improvement
21 in the collection this season has taken place, as stringent orders were issucd to
22 compel the collectors to keep it quite free from any mixture with chips, earth,
23 or other foreign matter. ‘The result has been that the gum fetched as much as
24 Rs. 64 per maund, and has been pronounced the purest which has come to
25 market.
26 Improved value per maund.
27 71. Tapping was only allowed for four months, from 15th November to
28 Collection undertaken by private L5th March 1872. Information has lately been
29 parties. received to the effect that the success divoding the
30 collection last season in the Government forests have stimulated others to
31 employ men in collecting beyond British territory, and Rs. 20 ee maund is
32 being paid to Collectors, whereas the Forest Department have hitherto only
33 puid Its. 10.
34 72. This rivalry will probably increase the expenses attending future
35 _ Collections, and may give trouble in the way of
36 ae increase of expense in protecting the trees in British territory the property
37 of Government, necessitating an increased number
38 of watchers.
39 73. It is estimated that there are 6,000 India-rubbor trees on the west
40 side of Teesta, and about the same number on
41 east side, as fur as Chelriver. Of these about one-
42 half are of the small-leaved kind, which yields only
43 half the quantity of milk which the large-leaved kinds yield.
44 Estimated number of trees in Cooch
45 Behar and yield of gum per tree.
46 74. Anordinary sized tree (large loaf) gives about 15 seers of milk, which,
47 when dry as India-rubber, is reduced to 8 seers.
48 ASSAM.
49 75. It was shown in the preceding year’s report 1870-71 that 510
50 trees, producing 1,086 logs, had been felled on
51 Timber operations. :
52 three streams, v1z.—
53 The Debroo __... sn ae tye ee rr 150
54 5, Dehing... ae oe isis Be ae eee 734
55 ,, Dhunsiri... “— is es ae - 202