IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. 89 



vantage in other districts, except in certain localities where, for 

 sanitary considerations, the thinning of the jungles should be 

 encouraged. The immersion 'of bamboos in water, and especially 

 in a solution of sulphate of iron (Anabedi Tel.), or in lime-water, 

 is attended with the best results. The sweet sap is thereby ex- 

 tracted, which, if allowed to remain, induces rapid decay. When 

 it is intended to split the bamboos for reepers, this should be 

 done before they are steeped in the metallic bath. The coast 

 merchants prefer bamboos which have been months in the water 

 attached to rafts, these are " water seasoned" by being floated to 

 the sea-shore down the Nellambur and Sidashegur rivers. The 

 bamboos are often 18 yards long, and are brought down in 

 immense floats, tied together in bundles of fifty by the root ends, 

 which are turned towards the forepart of the float.* 



33. Fancy Woods. — The forests of S. India contain a great 

 variety of woods which may properly come under this head ; but 

 the markets of Europe are so distant, and the cost of freight is so 

 heavy, that few are exported to England and France, save ebony, 

 rosewood (or blackwood), satin wood, and sandalwood. Occasionally 

 beautiful specimens may be seen, equal to anything ever made 

 up into furniture in England. 



Ebony is chiefly obtained from Coorg and Canara (various species 

 of Diospyros), and is of a superior description, being jet black in 

 colour. Smaller pieces are procured from Cuddapa, Salem, Nuggur, 

 &c, but there is no steady demand, though it is a peculiarly 

 fine timber for cabinet work, and some of it is well veined for 

 ornament. 



Satinwood. — I have seen very fine satinwood at Cotaputty, in 

 the Tengrikota taluk of Salem. I fear that a good deal of the 

 oldest and best was destroyed by the railway contractors ; but 

 this locality is evidently suited for the development of the tree, 

 and I hope that it may yield a supply for the gun carriage factory, 

 where the wood is used for naves of wheels. The timber sells at 

 near] y the same price as teak and blackwood, and is employed 



* Teak, sal, blackwood, &c, improve by lying in water, ot in the soft black 

 mud of an estuary ; there is one exception, viz., hedde (Manje cadambe) , 

 Ncmclea cordifolia, which deteriorates from steeping, and should be carted to 

 its destination. 



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