IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. 21 



to secure a little moisture, and to afford leaves for manuring the 

 adjoining fields. Mr Sullivan, sub-collector, is at all times most 

 ready to assist in checking wasteful cutting, but the appointment 

 of an overseer in bis opinion is desirable. The tract of wood must 

 be extensive which will cover the charge of an overseer's salary ; 

 and therefore in several instances I have urged the location of 

 two talook peons, as at the top of PalamanairGrhat, and at Devaroy- 

 droog in Mysore. The vigilance of two men during twelve months, 

 at a cost of 7 rupees per month, has produced visible results ; 

 although the conservancy has not been adequately provided for, 

 yet the jungle already beginB to assume a much improved appear- 

 ance. My attention has been directed to other places, as Kaman- 

 droog, the Nalla-malai Hills, the Shevarai Hills, the Nellore 

 Jungles, and various localities in the northern division. Ihayebeen 

 in correspondence with the collectors of those districts, but refrain 

 from making any recommendation of establishments to supervise 

 these forests until I have an opportunity of personally inspecting 

 them and judging of their requirements. I hope to visit these 

 localities during the ensuing year. The great difficulty I experir 

 ence is in finding suitable overseers. The qualifications desired 

 are as follows: — 1. Eobust health; 2. Eudimentary knowledge 

 of forestry ; 3. Acquaintance with accounts ; 4. Integrity of char- 

 acter; 5. Knowledge of native languages. In addition to the 

 absolute scarcity of suitable men, the exposure, personal risk, 

 and low salary compared with that sanctioned in the Public 

 Works, have united to deter men from entering the department ; 

 whilst the formation of the Police and Eevenue Survey Estab- 

 lishments have attracted others whose services might have been 

 available. Out of the large body of Europeans who have this 

 year been sent out to India, I hope to find one or two who have 

 a practical knowledge of woodcraft. 



42. Proposed Depot of Boohs and Tools. — It has been proposed to 

 supply a "Forester's Guide,"* and the more necessary tools, to each 

 overseer on his appointment. The Conservator, as he has leisure 

 and opportunity, spends an hour or two with his overseers to im- 



* The excellent work of James Brown, Edinburgh 1860, is perhaps the 

 best manual for the department. — H. C. 



