324: FORESTRY IN THE CROWN COLONIES. 



question is said to be not serious because the climate is damp and 

 the dry season short. The last occasion when fire burnt a 

 considerable area of forest reserves was in 1911 — 1912, which 

 was followed by an increase in the natural regeneration of 

 cedar {Cedrela odorata), the most important timber tree of the 

 Colony. Outside the reserves, the fire seems to have done a con- 

 siderable amount of damage to the second growth in overworked 

 forests. 



Plantations were commenced in 1908, and by the end of 1919, 

 about 825 acres had been stocked with important indigenous 

 trees as well as sample plots of teak, camphor and mahogany. 

 The growth of trees is very rapid. 



Natural regeneration in the indigenous forests is assisted by 

 improvement felUngs, 3,700 acres having been so treated by 1919. 

 It is proposed to treat 1,200 acres annually in this way. Owing 

 to the inadequacy of trained staff, working plans have not yet 

 been drawn up for the reserves. 



The Forest Authority consists of a Conservator, a Deputy 

 Conservator and 1 European temporary Assistant ; there is also 

 a subordinate staff of 17 non-European Rangers. The Conser- 

 vator works under the direct control of the Governor. The 

 Rangers are placed under the orders of the District Administrative 

 Officers, through whom the Conservator issues his orders. The 

 Conservator issues licences within the reserves and also special 

 concessions outside the reserves with the previous approval of the 

 Governor. Ordinary licences for produce outside reserves are 

 issued by the District Administrative Officers. 



Assistance given to Forestry consists of advice given when asked 

 for, the sale at cost price of approved seeds, also the sale of plants 

 at reasonable rates. 



Income and Expenditure. — ^During the years 1911 — 1914, the 

 average annual receipts amounted to £5,952, and the expenses to 

 £3,166, leaving a surplus of £2,786. 



Recruitment and Training. — The superior staff has been 

 recruited from the Provincial Forest Service of India ; the 

 subordinate staff is locally instructed in the practical aspects of 

 management by the superior staff. Research has, up to date, 

 been restricted to observations regarding the life history of the 

 indigenous trees. 



