268 VALUE OF THE FORESTS. 



used extensively in the dockyard at Kotree, the 

 Government arsenals, and public works gener- 

 ally, and its value is daily becoming more re- 

 cognized, to judge from the increased demand 

 [1802 logs being sold in 1858-59, against 1237 

 in 1857-58]. This demand, however, is chiefly 

 confined at present to public departments ; the 

 inhabitants of the country generally do not 

 purchase much. This does not seem to be 

 owing to its original cost, which is very low 

 indeed [six annas per cubic foot], but to the fact 

 that the natives make very little use of large 

 timber of any kind, and the little they do require 

 for timber purposes is generally procurable near 

 their own houses. Small babul rafters, how- 

 ever, are in great demand by the natives for 

 constructing the framework of their houses; as, 

 however, only the thinnings of the forests are 

 now available, the demand exceeds the supj^ly. 

 In 1857-58 there were sold 22,453 rafters, and 

 in 1858-9, 27,254. There is no doubt, how- 

 ever, that the natives are very much dis- 

 couraged from purchasing timber, owing to the 

 great difiiculties and expense of conveyance ; 

 for although they have the advantage of water 

 carriage, this is at present so very expensive a 



