27 



: Government is willing to deal direct 



gards bamboo equally . , , , , i 



applicable to caio- with paper-makers in the matter ot 



tropis. 



bamboo, with how much more advantage might it 

 take the initiative with regard to the Calotropis 

 fibre. The same principle that applies to the de- 

 velopment of trade in the one is equally applicable 

 to the other, with this exception, perhaps, that while 

 the Calotropis is a staple that has hitherto formed 

 no part of trade, and will consequently never be 

 originated by the natives who are at times unwilling 

 to enter on a new line of agriculture ; the bamboo has 

 for years past been exported from the hills by the 

 people, and sold in the markets on the plains. Cer- 

 tainly the matured stems are what have hitherto 

 formed the trade, but in the same manner as the 

 merchants in Burma arrange for the transport of 

 timber from the hills, they might stipulate for suc- 

 culent shoots of the bamboo being brought down, 

 instead of matured stems. Again, as regards the cul- 

 tivation of the two crops (Calotropis and bamboo), it 

 appears to me that any reason for the Government 

 objecting to undertake the culture of the one, applies 

 with equal force in the case of the other ; but in 

 neither case can I see any valid reason why Govern- 

 ment should refrain from laying the foundation of 

 this new and important industry, ultimately relin- 

 quishing its right to import direct to the home mar- 

 ket, but retaining its lien on the revenue of land that 

 has hitherto been regarded as sterile and valueless.* 



* The following extract will be found to support my views : " The 

 district officers, who have been consulted by the] Commissioners, are 

 unanimously of opinion that the production of fibres other than what are 



