4 NOTE ON BABUL. 



(3) RamJcanta, Kdbuli Kikar, Kikari, a broom-like tree with close 



ascending branches, somewhat like a cypress. 

 In this note Babul is, however, treated as one species, the question of 

 varieties being ignored ; because although these varieties are commonly 

 recognized, their constancy and detailed botanical characteristics have 

 not yet been finally determined, and consequently precise information 

 regarding the distribution and relative economic importance of the 

 different forms is not yet available. At the same time, it may be noted 

 that Brandis states that the wood of Telia is prized while that of Kauria 

 is only fit for firewood. The matter is, however, under study by the 

 Forest Botanist. 



(c) KEPRODUCTION. 



In localities favourable to the growth of Babul, the question of its 

 regeneration presents little difficulty. Although natural regeneration 

 is said to be excellent in some districts, yet it is generally found that to 

 collect and sow seed which has passed through cattle, sheep or goats 

 (which eat the pods greedily), gives the best results ; or the animals 

 may be fed on the pods and stalled on the area which it is wished 

 to regenerate. The frequent failure of green seed to germinate is 

 believed to be due to insect damage. 



In favourable areas such, for instance, as the best Sind forests, 

 it is quite sufficient to broadcast the seed, but in localities which are not 

 so suitable, sowing in pits and patches and on ridges and mounds have 

 all been tried with more or less success. In places where broadcast 

 sowing is not successful, however, some form of ploughing before sowing, 

 where this is feasible, will usually give the best results. The area may 

 be full ploughed, ploughed in single lines, or cross ploughed, and the 

 seed broadcasted (in the case of full ploughing), or sown in the furrows ; 

 provided that the seed used has passed through cattle, this method 

 should ensure success. The agri-silvicultural method of regenerating 

 Babul has been tried with great success in various districts, and especi- 

 ally in Berar. According to this method, Babul seedlings are raised 

 with field crops, and thus obtain all the advantages of ploughing, while 

 the latter is carried out without expense to the Department. 



Many forest officers look on Babul as a non-coppicer, and it is a 

 fact that, in most of the important forests, the tree is, for all practical 

 purposes, a non-coppicer. 



In several districts, however, among which may be mentioned several 

 Madras districts, notably Anantapur and Guntur, the Jhansi district 

 of the United Provinces, the Surat district of Bombay, and the Aimer- 

 Merwara district, the tree is said to coppice well, but it does not 

 appear to send up good shoots after it has passed about 15 years of age. 



