574 INDIAN FORESTRY REPORT. [Jan. 



It may be seen, however, from the foregoing, that the Sumachs 

 are not all bad, though some are certainly very undesirable as 

 furniture for English pleasure-grounds, notwithstanding their beauti- 

 ful foliage and general attractiveness. John Andrews. 



INDIAN FOBESTRY REPORT. 



THE progress report of Forest Administration in the Hyderabad 

 Assigned Districts for 1884-85 has just been received, and 

 contains a mass of interesting, if not in all respects satisfactory details. 

 In the work of survey and the marking of boundaries, consider- 

 able progress has been made, upwards of 375 square miles having 

 been surveyed in detail, and described on maps to scales of 4 inches 

 to the mile, and 2 inches to the mile. The larger scale is adopted 

 with the view of embracing the measurements of all fiscal bound- 

 aries, as well as the individual holdings of each village. On the 

 subject of protection from forest fires, the report shows most satis- 

 factory results, and evidence of careful management on the part 

 of the forest guardians in the use of preventive measures, and also 

 of the hearty and voluntary co-operation of the natives in the 

 work of extinguishing fires when they occur. The Eaipur Block and 

 Bairagarh lieserve, comprising considerably over 400 square miles, 

 and described as the largest area of forest under fire protection in 

 India, has been exempt from fires for the last thirteen years. It is 

 observed that the financial results are not so satisfactory this year 

 as in that preceding. This is ascribed to three causes, viz. diminished 

 demand for timber for building purposes, owing to 1885 being 

 Sinhast year, during which the Hindus put up no new buildings ; 

 also the cotton crop being below average, the ryots had less money 

 to spend on wood, and the death of the officer whose duty it was to 

 superintend the collection of forest dues. The dues fell off at once, 

 owing eitlier to the carelessness or dishonesty of those appointed in 

 his place ; for two were appointed and removed successively, it 

 appears, on the ground of suspicion of fraud, for which the spot 

 presents excellent opportunities. 



APPOINTMENT. 



Mr. J. j\I. FoRSYTHE, forester to the Eight Hon. Viscount Clifden, 

 Gowran Castle, Ireland, has been appointed wood manager to his 

 Grace the Duke of Bedford, Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire. Mr. 

 Forsythe will doubtless be much missed alike by his employer and 

 the tenantry and workmen on the Gowran Castle estate, but he goes 

 to a demesne where the oaks and elms and chestnuts in the richly 

 timbered park teem with ancient historic interest. 



