( 28A ) 



i 



become at least the equal of the best portions of the present time. 

 It should be borne in mind, however, that development would be 

 uneven, and this unevenness would affect whole grazing blocks of 

 the type suggested. The proposed scheme of conservation conse- 

 quently would require individual treatment in the matter of 

 temporary closure. 



3. It would be necessary to insist firmly on the principle of 

 free grazing in unimproved areas. I willingly concede that the 

 graziers would pay without demur light fees for the privilege of 

 pasturing their cattle in the improved sections ; but even though 

 the land should be recognized as having been fairly purchased by 

 the State, the villagers would feel aggrieved at having to pay for 

 the same quality of grazing as they had hitherto obtained free 

 from time immemorial. That they would gladly pay the light 

 fees suggested for good grazing appears certain. Jn the reserve 

 known as the Fisher forest, where the grazing is of the poorest 

 description, herdsmen consider it worth while to pay at the 

 enormous rates of Es. 2 per cow and Es. 4 per buffalo. So far as 

 my information goes, these rates are far higher than any charged by 

 the Forest department in any of the richest ranges of forest, worked 

 admittedly as a commercial undertaking. It might be urged that 

 if graziers will pay these rates in a reserve which affords the 

 poorest sort of grazing to an unduly large number of cattle, they 

 would pay as much for better and more abundant, because properly 

 controlled, grazing. But, as your report so clearly points out, the 

 primary object of reservation and afforestation is the immediate 

 benefit of agriculture, and as consequently there is no object in 

 making these forests more than self-supporting, it would be 

 unnecessary to demand grazing fees higher than an average of six 

 annas per head. This would yield, at the rate of oue animal per 

 acre, over Es. 35,000 per annum on account of grazing alone, 

 irrespective of the large income which in time would accrue from 

 dried fodder, timber, fuel, and charcoal. 



4. Personally I would lay more stress than has been laid in 

 the report on the resultant improvement of the stamp of cattle. 

 This is a matter of the highest importance. The supply of cattle 

 is short, and will probably become shorter before many years pass. 

 It is obvious that a district like Etawah, with its immense areas 

 of potentially fins grazing, ouht not to be compelled to go far 

 afield and pay an unduly high price for its agricultural stock. 

 Better grazing must result in improved stock, that ia to say, better 

 bullocks for the plough and better cows for the ghi trade. I have 

 no great belief in the system of excluding indifferent animals from 

 controlled grazing grounds. To attempt to do so is to put a 



