FINANCIAL RESULTS. 



167 



Nearly half of these values is due to that of lac, and nearly 

 one-fourth to that of timber, chiefly teak. On the whole, the 

 exports of timber represent only about 3 per cent, of the yield of 

 the State forests ; all the rest is used in the country, in addition 

 to imports. The value of the forest produce given away free or at 

 reduced rates in 1913 — 1914 amounted to Rs. 7,404,994, and in 

 1920 to Rs. 8,759,546. 



13. Financial Results. 



The subjoined table gives the annual averages for periods of 

 5 years since the establishment of the Indian Forest Department 

 in 1864 :— 



During the 50 years, up to 1914, the revenue has increased 

 nearly tenfold, and the net surplus tenfold. The percentage of 

 net revenue to gross revenue was steady at 36 per cent, from 

 1864 to 1889. Owing to the occupation of Upper Burma it then 

 rose to 46 per cent., and it kept fairly steady up to 1914. The great 

 rise in revenue between 1914 and 1920 was due to the effects of 

 the war, and there may be a temporary reaction, but on the 

 whole the revenue is sure to rise for many years to come. 

 Forty years ago the author predicted that the forest revenue would 

 some day become a set-oif against the declining opium revenue, 



