1885.] liEVIEWS OF BOOKS. 63 



Keviews of 3ooks. 



FOEESTBY IX NORTH-WESTERX PROVINCES OF INDIA. 



Progress Report of Forest Administration in tlie North- Western 

 Provinces and Oudli for 1883-84. By G. Geeig, Esq., 

 Conservator of Forests, Central Circle ; Captain E. S. WOOT), 

 Conservator of Forests, Oudh Circle ; and W. 11. Fishee, Esq., 

 B.A., Offg. Conservator of Forests, School Circle. "With a lieview 

 by the Lieutenant-Governor, and Orders Ity the Government 

 of India. 1885. 



THE exigencies of war may \\o\i' make such demands on the 

 forestal wealth of the Himalayan districts, as to render neces- 

 sary the immediate extension of the reserves of the Xorth-Western 

 Provinces desiderated by his Excellency in Council in the above 

 report. The forest lands at present represent about 3 per cent, 

 of the total area of the province, comprising 3597 square miles. 



Amongst other matters of general interest, we note some friction 

 in the staff department. The Governor in Council desiderates a 

 closer agreement in the annual operations with what is proposed in 

 the working plans. In the School Circle it appears necessary that 

 the present numerous staff of inferior foresters on low pay be 

 replaced by rangers of superior standing. Theft and infringements 

 of the Forest Laws abound. On the plains' divisions a forester on 

 Es. 1 5 per month, out of which he is expected to provide uniform 

 and a pony, is frequently in charge of 12 to 20 square miles of 

 forest, in which the standing timber has an actual market value of 

 several lakhs of rupees ; and during the cold weather, besides the 

 protection of the forests, he has to supervise building, road-making, 

 fire conservancy, climber-cutting, and plantation works. Whether 

 pensioned sepoys should be employed is worth considering. It is 

 noted that only two natives in this circle have passed through the 

 Forest School, both of whom failed to obtain the rangers' certificate. 



During the third course of theoretical instruction held from 1st 

 July to 31st October at the Forest School, thirty-six officers of 

 the subordinate staff, and one of the superior staff, attended. The 

 course, which included Forestry, Botany, Physical Science and 

 Chemical Practice, Law, Mathematics, Surveying, Pioad-making and 

 Building, as well as Entomology, was given solely by officers of the 

 circle. At the close of the course, twelve students of the second 

 year obtained the rangers' certificate and returned to their own 

 provinces ; six failed to obtain certificates, of whom three were 



