FUEL PLANTATIONS IN INDIA. 131 



cheap labour is the next requisite, and a soil suitable to the 

 particular species of tree we wish to plant. 



In our choice of the most suitable tree to plant, we must 

 remember to choose such as will produce the greatest out- 

 turn to the acre within a given period of time, and at the 

 same time possesses such an amount of calorific power, as 

 will enable it to compete successfully with slower-growing 

 woods possessing a higher amount of latent caloric. 



In Trichinopoly, I experimented with a considerable 

 variety of fuel trees, for the supply of wood to the Railway, 

 and judging from my own experience and that of others, 

 the Casuarinoj muricata is far and away the best. 



It will not, however, do to plant this tree in all soils. In 

 a stiff clay it grows but slowly, and sometimes even dies ; 

 whereas in deep, fine sand, it distances all other fuel-trees 

 in its rapid and surprising rate of growth. 



It suits itself to a wonderful variety of climate, and fine 

 specimens may be seen growing in the arid plains of the 

 East Coast, the moist and humid shores of Malabar, and 

 inland, at an elevation of 2,500 feet, at Manantoddy. 



In addition to its great value as a fuel-producer, its tim- 

 ber is used for building purposes, and is capable of bearing 

 a higher cross strain than almost any other known species 

 of Indian tree. 



When grown by itself, and allowed to branch, it is highly 

 ornamental, and a desirable addition to an avenue, or park. 



We will now assume that the would-be fuel-planter has 

 obtained a block of 100 acres of suitable land within a mile 

 of his market. 



The first thing to be then done, is to obtain a sufficient 

 number of ripe cones, gathered from the most vigorous, 

 healthy, and mature Casuarina trees we can find, and put 

 them in the sun to open. Care must be taken that ants do 

 not get at the seeds, or they will destroy every one. The 

 cones should, therefore, be placed on a table, the Ieg3 of 



