( 106 ) 



124. I add here a short notice of the most 

 useful trees found in the district : 



Babul Acacia Arabica is generally self-sown in culturable wasteland, 

 Its wood is hard and durable, and used for nearly every agricultural implement, 

 as well as for cart wheels. It is also burnt for charcoal. The bark is largely 

 used in tanning, and also in distilling spirits. The smaller branches are used 

 for firewood, and the twigs are made into toothbrushes. The gum is collected, 

 and the leaves and pods are a favourite food for goats and camels, and have 

 also medicinal properties. A tree will be fit for cutting in ten years, and 

 be worth, according to size, from Rs. 2 to Us. 10. There is no more generally 

 useful tree, and every encouragement has been given to zamindars to plant it, 

 as the leaves, &c. (and the droppings of the animals that feed on it), falling 

 on the ground gradually fit it for cultivation. 



Shiskam (Sissu). Chiefly valuable for the wood, which is flexible, and 

 therefore used in making " raths, bailis," and especially for furniture, as 

 taking a good polish. It is fit for use after twelve years, and will fetch Rs. 5 

 or Rs. 6, every year adding to its value. It attains considerable age. 



Nim is useful, both young and full-grown. The peculiar bitter proper- 

 ties of the wood which protect it against the ravages of the white-ant make it 

 valuable for doors, doorposts and lintels, bed frames, &c. It is thickly planted 

 in coppices to obtain straight scantlings for building. The twigs are used for 

 touthbrushes. The bark has medicinal properties, and is applied to boils, and 

 the tender inner bark is soaked and given as a febrifuge. The leaves are eaten 

 by camels and goats, and sprinkled amongst cloths to keep out insects, or made 

 into a plaster are put on boils as a poultice, or over an eye affected with ophthal- 

 mia, or a decoction is drunk as a blood purifier. The seeds are collected and oil 

 is expressed on the usual terms. The tree is full grown in twelve years, after 

 which the inner wood decays. A full-grown tree will fetch from Rs. 4 to Rs. 6. 

 From some trees water (nim-jal) distils, which is most valuable as a blood 

 purifier. 



Dhdk Butea frondosa grows wild. The wood is a common fuel, its 

 irregular growth unfitting it for other uses. The leaves are made by the " bdri' 1 

 into eups and plates, fastened by a splinter of the nim tree. The flowers yield 

 the dye used in the Noli festival, and the gum is used medicinally and to fix 

 -uuigo aiiJ other dyes. It is fit for use, and is generally cut every third year. 

 The roots, being fibrous, are made into ropes. 



Mahua Bassia latifolia is a cultivated tree, and takes the place of the 

 mango in the southern or drier parganas of the district, as it does not 

 require so much moisture. The wood is used for general purposes, but 



