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tree have given the following results : Trees 2 years and 9 

 months old had reached a height of 56 feet ; trees 9 years old had 

 a height of 112 feet. It is true the tree does not live longer than 

 15 to 20 years, but as it volunteers there should always be a good 

 stand. AIbirj.cia inoluccana is especially valuable as a soil im- 

 prover. It develops an enormous root system which, when the 

 tree dies, leaves huge channels which act as drainage ; besides, 

 the enormous amount of organic matter which such a tree fur- 

 nishes during its life time can only be of benefit to a sour and 

 clayey soil. 



Ficiis spp. The genus Ficus consists of over 600 species, a 

 large portion of which grows in the Malayan Archipelago, India, 

 and tropical Asia in general. The planting of species of Ficus 

 such as the various Banyans F. bcngalcnsis, F. religiosa, F. bcn- 

 janiina and hosts of others as forest trees in the wet forest regions 

 cannot be too highly recommended. The writer has observed 

 these various Banyans at elevations from practically sea-level to 

 4000-5000 feet in the Himalayas. 



Seeds of Ficus can be obtained easily from the Botanical Gar- 

 dens of India, and as an ounce of seed produces usually several 

 thousand trees, the propagation of the same would be a compara- 

 tively easy matter. It is true that certain insects will be neces- 

 sary for the fertilizing of the fruits of such Fici when once es- 

 tablished in the forest. Mr. Muir informs me that the intro- 

 duction of such insects (usually wasps) is a comparatively easy 

 matter. 



Even if no insects for the fertilizing of such Banyan fruits can 

 be secured the trees in question will prove to be extremely valu- 

 able, first on account of their longevity. Banyan a thousand 

 years old are no rarity in India. Trees with several hundred 

 trunks covering an area of more than an acre are quite common. 

 Consequently the planting of various species of Ficus which pro- 

 duce dense shade and a solid forest cover cannot be too highly 

 recommended. 



Other trees to be planted are : 



Sainanea sauian, the Monkeypod. 



Toona fcbrifuga, a Cedar tree 'already growing in the Terri- 

 tory. It is a quick grower. 



Toona calautas, a native of the Philippines. Living plants were 

 introduced by myself from the Philippines. They are rapid grow- 

 ers. 



Cedrela aiistralis, a relative of the above mentioned species of 

 Toona, is also a rapid grower and well worth planting. 



Pterocarpus indiciis, the Narra. There are several specimens 

 of this tree in the Territory. Hardwood cuttings of this tree are 

 the most successful means of propagation. They root ven)^ 

 readily and make rapid growth. The tree is adapted for open 

 land especially below the wet forest lands at elevations of 1000 

 feet and somewhat higher. 



