192 ECONOMICS OF FORESTRY. 



was not over lOO acres. This comparative im- 

 munity is due to both administrative and police 

 regulations. 



The Indian forest administration, under circum- 

 stances not much less difficult, nay, perhaps more 

 difficult, than those prevailing in the United States, 

 refutes the assertion that forest fires may not be 

 suppressed. 



Not only have the people of all timbered parts 

 of India practised the firing of woods for many 

 centuries, for purposes both of agriculture and 

 pasture, but the natural conditions in many of the 

 Indian forests are such as to discourage the most 

 sanguine. 



The forest in most parts is a mixed growth, ot 

 which a considerable portion is valueless and is 

 left to die and litter the ground with dry and 

 decaying timber, furnishing ready fuel. A dense 

 undergrowth, largely composed of giant grasses 

 and bamboo, covers the ground, green or dry, 

 to which is added a mass of creeping and climbing 

 vegetation. It is a dangerous forest, with hot, dry 

 winds to fan the flames ; and yet the forest de- 

 partment fights and prevents fires, and succeeds in 

 a measure. The efficiency of protection has con- 

 stantly increased with perfection of methods, and 

 the expenses have never exceeded $io per square 

 mile in any year on an area of over 30,000 square 

 miles, of which, in 1895, not more than 8 per cent 

 experienced damage. The police regulations 



