fined to a very limited part of the Empire, and the examples which 

 1 have been able to adduce in illustration of definitions and prin- 

 ciples are, I know, often not only not the most appropriate, but 

 frequently also misleading, owing to the same species assuming 

 a totally different habit or requiring totally different conditions 

 to thrive in other surroundings. And not only this, but I fear 

 that an insufficient study of species and their habits and require- 

 ment has often led me into important errors. But besides this, 

 many experiments in forest culture have no doubt been carried 

 out, of which no available record exists, but which would, if re- 

 corded, contribute in no small degree to the immediate establish- 

 ment of definite methods of regeneration or treatment specially 

 applicable to the peculiar conditions of India. Some of these 

 methods may be entirely new to the domain of sylviculture I To 

 those who can help me in any way in increasing the value of the 

 Manual when it comes to be published in its final form, I address 

 an earnest prayer for their kindly co-operation. Relying on re- 

 ceiving this assistance, I have printed only a limited number of 

 copies of this Draft in the hope that it may be possible to bring 

 out the new edition early in 1890. 



I have of course taken full advantage of the published works of 

 European foresters ; but I have derived most assistance from the 

 admirable Waldbau of Dr. Karl Gayer, a work which, for philoso- 

 phic treatment of every subject discussed in it, stands pre-eminent 

 amongst the crowd of excellent works on European sylviculture. 



As regards the technical terms employed, most of them have 

 already received currency either here or in Great Britain. Some 

 of them, such as ' exploit ' and its derivatives, were hotly contested 

 in the INDIAN FORESTER six years ago ; but they have since re- 

 ceived the sanction of the Forest Conference held at Dehra Dun 

 in October 1886. At that Conference discussion was limited to 

 terms expressive of ideas and operations connected with every day 

 work. Latitude was, therefore, left me to use my own terminology 

 where the Conference had not already settled the point. I am not 

 satisfied with many of the terms employed, and if I had to write 

 the draft over again, they would have to give place to others that 

 now seem to me more appropriate. I would be the last person in 

 the world to advocate the adoption of a stereotyped terminology ; 

 nevertheless it is both convenient and necessary that all forest 

 operations and ideas connected therewith should be known by 

 names understood by every one. 



The pages of the INDIAN FORESTER are open to every one and 



