33 



CHAPTER V. 



NATURE OF JUNGLE. 



I HAVE not much to say under this head. I have heard many 

 opinions as to the kind of trees and jungle that should exist in 

 contemplated clearances, but I attach little or no weight to 

 them, at all events in Bengal. 



In the Himalayas it is somewhat different. There oak 

 trees should be sought for ; their existence invariably makes 

 rich soil. 1 Fir, on the contrary, indicates poor soil. At eleva- 

 tions, however, the desideratum of a warm aspect interferes, 

 for the best oak forests are on the colder side. I speak of 

 course of elevations practicable, say three or four thousand 

 feet ; above this it is a waste of money to try and cultivate 

 Tea. 



In Bengal I do not think the nature of the jungle on land 

 contemplated signifies much. As a rule, the thicker the 

 jungle the richer the soil ; but in seeking for a site large trees 

 should not be a sine qua non. Much of the coarse grass land 

 is very good, and large trees add enormously to the expense 

 of clearings. 2 It is not cutting them down which is so expen- 

 sive, it is cutting them up and getting rid of them by burning, 

 or otherwise, after the former is done. 



I have discussed soil fully already, and need only add here 

 that if the knowledge to do so exists, it is better to judge of 

 soil from the soil itself than from the vegetation on it, though 

 doubtless a fact that luxuriant vegetation indicates rich soil. 



1 The oak tree leaves cause a rich deposit of vegetable matter. 



2 The Western Dooars are in many parts covered with this coarse grass, and 

 nowhere is there better soil. 



