10 



MANAGEMENT OF TEAK FORESTS. 



Size of trees on 

 River banks. 



Soils, sub-soils. 



Fastgrowing 

 timber. 



timber in them. They have now over one hundred cubic 

 feet in 1883. 



At Nellumbore it was remarkable to see how enor- 

 mous was the growth of the trees on the river banks, 

 and how the size gradually receded to one-third on the 

 tops of the low Hills especially where laterite cropped out 

 on the surface showing of what vital importance is good soil 



to a Teak plantation. It may here be remarked that on 

 the banks of rivers in this locality, the soil is of a rather 

 sandy clay, easily penetrated by the roots and fully drained, 

 inland the sub-soil is often composed of soft laterite, but 

 where it comes to the surface and is hardened by the action 

 of the air, the trees almost refused to grow. The usual soil 

 in Wynaad is a very dark brown surface soil with rather a 

 dark yellow sub-soil, in this Teak grows well, for, like the 

 oak, it has no objection to a clay sub-soil. 



Lindley has laid down that fast growing timber is the 

 best, and so far as my experience enables me to judge I 

 agree with him. About the year 1872 Colonel Beddome 

 reported to Government that he did not think the Nellum- 

 bore plantations would last, several fine trees had died in 

 an unaccountable manner, and some appeared stag-headed. 

 He thought the climate too forcing, and was doubtful about 

 the success of the experiment. Shortly after this he was 

 obliged to proceed to Australia for his health, and I took 

 up his duties. At the same time Government requested 

 mo to report upon the state of the Nellumbore plantations. 

 I accordingly visited them, and in company with Mr. 

 Kerguson, who was in charge, examined the dead trees. I 

 could iind no trace of nnsoundness in the timber, but I did 

 < It-tout mycelium at the roots which fully accounted for the 



