FORESTS OF MYSORE DISTRICT 



the forests, unless heavy and frequent rains should 

 fall during the north-east monsoon, remain malarious 

 until the advent of the next south-west monsoon, 

 or, should fire protection fail, until the burning of 

 the jungles in the dry weather renders them tem- 

 porarily salubrious. 



The forest revenue obtained from the large 

 timber reserves consists mainly, of course, of the 

 proceeds of the sale of timber, chiefly of the three 

 species named at the commencement of this chapter, 

 with the addition of matti (Terminalia tomentosa). 

 There are, however, certain minor items, such as 

 beeswax and honey from the combs of wild bees, 

 myrabolams, gum, etc., which contribute their quota 

 of revenue. 



Important, however, as are the Mysore timber 

 forests, whether regarded from an economic or a 

 climatic point of view, the lighter belt of small 

 jungle between them and the cultivated land, pieces 

 of small jungle in the interior, and the hedges of 

 the cultivated fields as well, yield a product which 

 is by far the most considerable item of forest 

 revenue, and one of which the Mysore plateau 

 may almost be said to enjoy the monopoly. This 

 item is sandalwood, which grows freely in the 

 light scrub jungles of Mysore, and which is of 

 extremely high value in several European markets 

 on account of the scented oil contained in its heart- 

 wood. Sandal (Santalum album] is a tree of small 

 stature, having diminutive, pointed, dark green 

 leaves, and it grows most freely where it is shaded 

 and protected by the proximity of other trees or 



409 



