8O NO TES ON FORES TR Y. 



which the timber when mature might be unable to 

 compete. 



But to grow forests to meet an increased de- 

 mand for fuel is another matter. On the plains 

 of India first-class wood-fuel can be produced in 

 ten j r ears; and although, even while this is growing, 

 the railways, which first provoked the demand, may 

 be driven to resort to imported coal, there is every 

 probability of wood-fuel again successfully com- 

 peting with it ; and even if it fail, the rapid ex- 

 tension of agriculture under a settled government 

 is fast reducing the old area of fuel wastes, leading 

 to a rapidly-increased demand for fuel and poles 

 for domestic purposes. By raising fuel-plantations 

 systematically and economically, we can set free 

 jungle-lands for agriculture, while increasing the 

 fuel production. 



The question of the growth and administration 

 of fuel-plantations is thus to some extent a matter 

 sui generis, and the considerations which guide us 

 in their administration somewhat different from 

 those which guide us in the administration of 

 forest proper. 



The first point is the selection of trees which 

 coppice freely. Among Northern Indian trees, 

 the sissoo, mulberry, and large ber (Zizyphus 

 jujuba) take first rank : the sal coppices as freely, 

 and is an excellent fuel wood. These should be 



