MANAGEMENT OF TEAK FORESTS. 



trees dying. The cause as explained by Mr. Ferguson I 

 ao-reed in, t-/z., the trees were situated on a flat close to 

 hank Of a, l;n-e stream which had overflowed, and the trees 

 remained under water for some months. This caused dis- 

 ease at the roots, they died, and of course the trees died. 



With regard to the stag-headed appearance of some of 

 the trees, I could only account for it by supposing ,t 

 Colonel Beddome had seen them early in the year when 

 perhaps some of the ends of the top-most branches had not 

 developed their leaves, or from being struck by lighten- 

 ing for I could not find a single stag-headed tree. 

 going over the ground, I saw a number of fine Teak logs on 

 the ground, and on enquiry was shown the stumps trom My^epoHon th* 

 which they had been cut, on examination of the *, J 

 counted seventy rings, and the stumps showed plainly that this 

 was a second growth, and the conclusion I arrived at was 

 that the stump was not less than one hundred and fifty years 

 old, and might, from its healthy appearance, produce another Caixse of diaease. 

 shoot equal to what it had already done as this was natural 

 Teak growing close to a plantation, it became evident that 

 the soil and climate was quite capable of producing very large 

 trees, and that they would be healthy certainly up to one Age of Teak tree* 

 hundred and fifty years of age, and probably to two hundred ' 

 and fifty years; and I have not the slightest hesitation in SuiteWe climate 

 saying that I consider the Nellumbore Teak plantations ai 

 capable of enduring for centuries. 



In forming a Teak plantation in forest land, of course, Forming a plan- 

 every jungle tree is cut over, and then burnt, or if any of 

 the timber is valuable, it is first cut out and dragged to a 

 convenient distance away from fire. If felling is com- Felling, pitting, 

 menced in October, the wood will burn well in March, iii 

 April, the ground should be lined out and pitted, the holes 

 to be IS" cubic, and six feet by six feet. In collecting seed 

 in November and December, great care should be used to 

 prevent seed being taken from stunted weakly trees, as it is Treatment of seed, 

 so much easier to gather from such than from tall trees, no 

 seed should be picked up from the ground, as the chances are 



