

CHAPTER I 



DEMARCATION 



Although demarcation is in itself not a sylvicultural 

 operation it is one which is necessary to enable the 

 forester to work his forests systematically, without fear 

 of encroachments and, when legally protected, of trespass. 

 In a forest which is not demarcated the forester is help- 

 less against encroachments, cattle trespass, and illicit 

 fellings : he cannot obtain legal redress, as he either 

 cannot prove the offence, or, if he can, he cannot prove 

 that the offender was aware of his trespass. 



In this chapter it is presupposed that the title-deeds 

 to the forest have been obtained and its boundaries 

 actually defined thereon, and that there will be no 

 opposition to these being patently and permanently 

 fixed on the ground by demarcation. 



The nature of the boundaries will vary according to 

 the configuration of the ground, the nature of the forest, 

 and the character of the adjoining lands. 



The best and most permanent boundary line, where 

 it can be obtained, is the crest of a ridge or of a spur, 

 lor, in other words, a well-marked watershed. Such a 

 boundary needs little artificial addition except the 

 erection of boundary pillars at the points where it 

 jjoins or leaves the watershed, and, from distance 

 to distance, on salient points along the ridge. Next 

 best to a ridge comes a watercourse. A large river 

 is the best, but any well-defined watercourse will be 

 a good boundary line. It is true that the course of 



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