126 



(JS^ -The ieodar tone. — From 6,000 feet to 9,000 feet. Deodar is spread througrh- 

 ont this sone. The tree does not, hawever, grow pure, being mixed with 

 a larger or smaller proportion of spruce and mora principally, and silver 

 fir exceptionally. It is most abundant, and generally constitutes the 

 predominant tree, between 7,000 and 8,500 feet of elevation. Above and 

 below this belt deodar confines itself almost exclusively to ridges and 

 well-drained slopes, particulaiiy the former. 

 (3) The chir zone. — From 6,000 feet to thellowest altitude of the circle (4,416 

 feet). The predominant type of forest is broad-leaved, consisting of 

 ban (oak) and a few horse chestnuts, maplets, etc., at the higher eleva^ 

 tione, and chir with small trees and shrubs elsewhere. Numerous 

 grazing grounds exist or recently existed in the ban area, .which is 

 therefore interspersed with comparatively extensive plots of open low 

 scrub. 

 The area producing deodar, which is the one marketable tree, is about half the 

 total area of the forest. The crops are all irregular, no distinct age-classes of grada- 

 tion of ages existing ; and every variation in density is to be met with, from open 

 grassy blanks to dense mixed deodar and fir forest. In the following statement, the 

 areas occupied by each of these zones of growth are recorded : — 



In the deodar zone, save where the cover is too densei reproduction is good, seed- 

 lings of deodar as well as of kail and rai being plentiful. In the Palangi block especially, 

 tlie young growth of moru (oak) is excellent. In those blocks which have been 

 worked over natural reproduction is exceedingly satisfactory. 



With what degree of detail the principal species should 

 be described depends on the special circumstances of each 

 case, and must therefore be left to the judgment of the 

 working-plans oflEicer. But, broadly speaking, with regard 

 to every important species of which the treatment is not well 

 known, it will be useful to record whatever information 

 can be collected on the following subjects : — 



Characters of the soil and of the locality in which the tree is found growing 



and in which it thrives best. 

 Beqnirements or peculiarites with regard to reproduction, seedling, etc. ; 



aptitude to produce shoots or suckers. 

 Growth in girth and height ; size attained ; longevity. 

 Most suitable method of treatment ; peculiarities as regards supporting shade 



or the reverse. 

 Products yielded and purposes for which employed ; qualities of the wood. 



Information concerning the origin of the crop or im- 

 portant facts connected with its past treatment often throws 

 light on its present condition. In the case of plantations 

 the origin and past history can be readily describedj and for 

 many other crops also much may be learned. 



