elviii Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. [N5S., XIV, 
robusta) forests. The results of experiments which have now 
been carried out over a series of years to test the effect of 
various factors at present indicate that the following have 
most influence on the development of Sal seedlings in the 
moist forests of northern India :— 
(1) Bad Soil-aeration.—In the Sal forests during the rains 
germination is diminished, a large number of seedlings usually 
die and the root-development of others is retarded by isi 
the quantity of organic matter in the soil, the more injurious 
this factor becomes. Hence it is best controlled by burning of 
the soil-covering of dead and decaying leaves and by removilg — 
the overhead cover, thus exposing the soil to the sun and alt. 
That we are not dealing here with a case of insufficient light 
for the healthy development of the seedlings is shown by 
fact that vigorous seedlings can be grown with a light of 
similar, or even less, intensity provided the soil is W 
aerated.! . rae 
(2) Drought—This causes widespread damage to seedling® : 
narrow strips, so that in the dry season the 80 
kept moist and transpiration from the plants diminish 
With due regard to the above factors, therefore, be 
treatment to adopt in order to secure the rapid estab 
Caves ; 4 (die 
(b) clear-felling in small patches or na w a 
diameter of the former and width of 
FENNEC HRNEPED SSS RT re ee 
! Indian Forest Records, V, 4, part II, p. 72 (1016) 
