112 MtTOUMALAI FOREST. 



Coolies. — The general rise in wages, the increase of coffee cul- 

 tivation in Mysore, and the great demand for labour on the 

 Nilgiri Hills, have rendered it difficult to procure hands for the 

 forest ; however, as the main roads have been finished, and little 

 labour being required to keep them in order, this disadvantage 

 has not been much felt. 



Mode of Felling the Trees. — During the past year, a large 

 amount of timber has been felled, attention being paid to the 

 seasons. In December, January, and February, when the sap is 

 at rest, , the kurumbars are employed in felling. In March, 

 April, May, and June, when the sap is rising, the kurumbars 

 square the felled trees, and during the remaining five months 

 they fell and square, felling after the full of the moon when the 

 sap is descending, and squaring the other half of the month, 

 when the sap is ascending. By preserving the above order, the 

 timber seasons more readily and better. 



Provision Store. — The former provision store-house being 

 thatched, was exposed to danger of fire ; moreover, in the mon- 

 soon season, grain was apt to be damaged. I have therefore 

 built a new store-house with a ventilated flat roof ; this secures 

 us from all danger of fire and loss by damage of grain. 



In conclusion, I have the honour to remark, that three years 

 of the forest lease are still to run ; and the most profitable course* 

 to pursue, is to get the most we can out of the forest in that 

 period. If a large depot be formed at Masnicovil, and only small 

 quantities of timber be carted up to Utakamand, the means of 

 transport now in use to TJty might be employed in carrying to 

 Masnicovil, and in three years a supply might be obtained sufficient 

 for public buildings for some years to come — a supply which might 

 fairly be estimated at 200,000 cubic feet of seasoned timber. 



W. E. Morgan, 

 In charge of Mudumalai Forest. 

 Utakamand, 80th April 1860. 



* The energetic working of this forest is clearly advisable, and has been 

 ordered in G. O., 16th July 1860, No. 1521, par. 4. It should be worked on 

 behalf of Government upon the same system as the N. Canara and Ana- 

 malai Forests. — H. O. 



