40 



ties of the soil depth is perhaps the most important and 

 is that which is most likely to vary. Depth of soil is at 

 once manifested by the appearance of the trees. If shallovr, 

 the boles are generally short and the crowns low ; while the 

 contrary is the case in soils of from 12 to 20 inches and 

 over in depth. 



The nature of the underlying rock and sub-soil is often 

 of great importance. 



Very little is known as yet of the influence exerted by different soils on the 

 growth and prodnetion of the various species of Indian forest trees : it is not often 

 therefore that a description of the chemical characters of the eoil can be of much 

 sei'vice. But when a detailed plan is prepared, the nature of the soil in each compart- 

 ment should be noted, and the relative proportions of clay, sand and lime should be 

 roughly ascertained. By noting such particulars many valuable indications can be 

 deduced, especially when a complete record of the production lias been kept for a 

 number of years. Small portions of the soil it is wished to examine should be taken, 

 from several different spots in the nursery or compartment under observation, and 

 should be mixed together. A small portion should then be reduced to powder in a 

 mortar and the vegetable detritus removed by heating. The residue should then be 

 treated with dilute hydrochloric acid, and the insoluble portion, consisting of clay and 

 sand, separated by filtration from the soluble portion, (calcium, iron, etc.). The clay 

 can then be separated from the heavier sand by decanting several times with the aid 

 of a syphon, and the relative proportion of each determined by weighing. If, when the 

 hydrochloric acid is first added, there is a brisk eServesoence, the soil is calcareous. 

 The quantity of lime present can be roughly ascertained by deducting the weight of' 

 the insoluble clay and sand from the weight of the mass before it was treated with . 

 the acid. 



The crop. — The composition and condition of tfie standing 

 crop must necessarily be examined and recorded with the 

 greatest care. The detail depends, as already explained, on 

 various circumstances ; but, where a complete inventory is 

 required, the following points should be considered, viz. : — 



(1) General character of the crop. 



(2) Component species, or difEerent types of crop, and their relative propor- 



tions. 



(3) Age ; density; state of growth ; proportion of unsound trees. 



(4) Natural reproduction ; presence or absence of seedlings or stool shoots. 



(5) Origin and past management. 

 (61 Most suitable future treatment. 



The character of the crop. — Where it has been found 

 necessary to divide each block into fairly homogeneous units 

 or compartments the character of the growth should be 

 explained by its descriptive name in a single word or term, 

 such as "thicket," " irregular mature seedling forest." Where, 

 however, the sub-divisions are not artificial and the crop is 

 irregular a more lengthy description becomes necessary. 



With respect to the component species of trees, the princi- 

 pal, and sometimes the secondary species, as well as where 

 necessary their numbers or relative proportions, need alone 

 be mentioned; but this should always be done in the most- 



