168 
n order to Moontélo, what prospect of yield de plantation peor 
rg ge 
compartments were only successfully planted in their present 
completeness in 1877-8. They visited respectively 23, 21, 11 and 
41 chittacks (approximately equivalent to 3, 3, 15 and ó Ibs.). 
This was valued locally at Rs. 97 a maund, and allowing for 
some further drying and a fair rate for collection, the net t value 
may be taken at Rs. 80 (a little over 1s. per pound). 
The rubber was sent to Dr. Watt with a view to his obtaining an 
independent valuation in Calcutta. The result of this her E 
Rs. 105 to Rs. 108, Rs. 100 to Rs. 105, Rs. 110 to Rs. 115, 
110 to 112 respectively, per bazaar maund M in Delia 
M to an average pris of 1s. 6d. per Ib.). 
us and mos 
Wc trees in the lines, and hence the rubber obtained gave 
no indication of the yield of the Leere the dominant vigorous 
trees of which alone yield rubber free 
I think the yield obtained from Mie few trees justifies the 
assumption that 20 seers (41 Ibs.) could even now be obtained from 
n acre, and that it is reasonable to suppose a maund will be 
readily obtained at or before the age of 50 years, and that Rs. 16 
per acre per annum can be counted upon. 
Extension = plantation work.—lf these views are accepted, 
there would seem to be a good case for extending the plantation 
by 250 acres a ponis at a cost of Rs. 10,000, for md next 12 years at 
least. By this time it will cover an area of 5,000 acres, the 
pep yield of which would be, even according to Mr. 
ee’s estimate, 1,000 maunds of rubber per annum, adding a 
ae income of at least Rs. 80,000 to the forest revenues of the 
province. 
Cost to Government and the possibility ar increasing the duty.— 
As already shown, Government is only required to forego 25 
per cent. ot the revenue it is now deriving from the extermination 
of the natural rubber trees. 
Considering that men are ready to pay up to Rs. 38 a maund for 
rubber collected vw the forests in the Tezpur district, with a 
guaranteed yie 165 maunds from one of the two mahals 
eastern) into which the distriet has been divided, it may be 
desirable to raise the royalty from Rs. 12 und. 
collection and carriage varies from Rs. 16-8 i n the Garo Hills to 
paid by mahaldars. 
