124 



Example.^-the forests are situated on comparatively low hills, forming a series 

 -of Buperimpoeed terraces or plateaux with eloping sides. The tops of the hills are 

 'flat ; 80 that, instead of ascending to a ridge, we ascend to a plateau, and the action of 

 time has not been able to destroy the original terrace-formation which gives to the 

 hills their characteristic appearance. Precipices are, however, uncommon, and the 

 slopes are visually easy epou^h for a saddled horse to be led almost everywhere. The 

 ■hills rise from 1,000 to seldom more than 1,700 feet above the deepest valleys. The 

 forests as might be expected, occupy the upper plateaux and slopes of the hills, culti- 

 vation having taken possession of the lower slopes. The main ridge occupies a 

 continuous sinuous line, extending from the south-west to north-east, farming the 

 -water-parting between the Ramgunga stream on the north and the Pbadi river on the 

 south ; but the greater portion of the area lies within the drainage basin of the latter 

 Tiver. 



(in) Underlying rock and soil. — The general character 

 -of the geology of the country, the resulting soils and their 

 relation to the conaposition of the forests, should be explained. 

 The explanation should, however, be brief and of a general 

 nature ; as a more detailed description of the soils in each 

 block is, when necessary, separately given, for instance, in 

 ike description of compartments. 



Example. — The entire rock-system belongs to what is known as the Deccan traps 

 .and is consequently of volcanic origiu. The soil resaMng from the disintegration of 

 these trap rocks is a red ferruginous loam, fairly fertile where deep. This, however, 

 is not the case, on the level surfaces of the plateaux where disintegration is slow and 

 where, in some cases, the unchanged rock protrudes at the surface. In other parts 

 the underlying rook, being everywhere laminated, compensates to some extent for 

 shallowness ; but geaerally speaking, the soil is not favourable to tree growth, as it is 

 too superficial and dry. On the slopes, however, which separate the various plateaux, 

 and along the bottoms of the numerous gullies, the soil formed of deep accumula- 

 tions and reeting on a sub-soil of loosely disintegrated trap, is well-drained and 

 -admirably suited to tree-growth. An 'intrnslon of granitic or gneissio rock about 

 three mliles broad crosses the area from south-east to north-west, and the resulting 

 soil is a fine micaceous sand which of itself is usually unfertile for agriculture, 

 requiring heavy manuring, but which under broad-leaved forest, becomes fairly 

 and even highly fertile. 



(iv) Climate. — All that is generally required is a simple 

 -statement of the facts with most of which every cultivator 

 in the locality is practically acquainted. Periods of drought 

 -or of excessive rain, of great heat or of cold, frosts, dangerous 

 winds and the like which have a notable effect on the forest 

 vegetation or on fire-protection, sowings, plantings or other 

 isylvioultural operations, should be briefly explained. A few 

 remarks may be usefully added regarding the healthiness or 

 ihe reverse of the climate, when this question affects the 

 proper execution of work or the duties of the establishment 

 generally. 



The climate and soil together represent the productive 

 capacity of the area or locality and determine the species 

 and method of treatment best adapted to the result required. 

 'The character of the climate depends on the situation of a 

 .^iven locality, and is described by stating the different local 



