( 96A ) 



to be further railway constructions which will completely open up 

 the country. Even in parts some 20 miles from the market by 

 road, there is a ready sale for fuel, and I was much surprised to 

 hear that the Court of Wards were able to sell even their dhak 

 forests at a good price. There is every indication that the demands 

 for timber and fuel will become greater in the near future and, as 

 the country is opened out, a forest estate would become a most 

 valuable property. 



6. Owing to the difference in the conditions as compared with 

 those met with in the Btawah ravines I think it would be advis- 

 able, before giving any definite proposals, if some experiments were 

 carried out in different localities in order to determine the most 

 suitable species which could be introduced into the area and the 

 best means of raising those species. I have little doubt that 

 shisham plantations could be easily raised along the upper edge of 

 the raviaes and on the higher land within the khola: the soil condi- 

 tions are most certainly far superior to those prevailing in Etawah 

 where shisham has been so successfully raised. There are also 

 other species which could doubtless be introduced, such as kamhar, 

 " Q-melina arborea "; tendu, "Diospyros melanoxylon "; teak, 

 "Teotona grandis ";sirsa, '* Albizzia prooera;" kusam, "Sohleichera 

 trijuga;" all of which are known to be easily established on ravine 

 soils. 



As regards the depressions covered with a deep deposition of 

 sand, I am doubtful whether the soil conditions are sufficiently 

 suitable for direct afforestation, and it will probably be found that 

 soil improvement operations will be necessary for many years before 

 any planting or eowing operations could be successfully under- 

 taken. Owing, however, to the proximity of water to the surface 

 it may be possible to find species which will overcome these 

 difficulties. I propose that experimental plots of 5 10 acres each 

 be selected in the following positions in order to determine the 

 best means of afforesting each class of land found within the khola, 

 and also what operations should be undertaken to improve the 

 condition of the soil: 



(1) At the head of a ravine and including part of the ravine 



course, 10 acres. 

 (Q) On the higher land within the khola. 



(3) On low sandy land with a thick grass covering. 



(4) On low lying land with a moderate grass covering. 



If possible, the plots should be contiguous to one another or 

 adjacent. 



The khadir or low lying land offers far greater difficulties and 

 owing to its waterlogged nature drainage is out of the question. The 



