114 SALEM FORESTS. 



four sleepers, and has not the requisite skill to quarter the log. 

 The only method I can see of preventing this wastage of timber is, 

 that Government should gradually take the whole control of work- 

 ing the forests under the Amani system. 



7. Beside the supply of sleepers, there is a considerable amount 

 of timber cut for building purposes, and an increasing demand 

 for export. I have granted 300 licenses for permission to cut 

 6470 cart loads of timber in the forests of Salem, for the year 

 1 859-60. A seignorage fee of E. 1 is paid for each cart load of 

 wood; this amount is collected at the different police stations 

 under the management of the collector, and has been entered in 

 the books as land revenue, without a separate column. I have 

 no hesitation in stating that a much larger amount might be 

 realized, if the holders of the licenses were made to abide by the 

 terms laid down in the license. 



8. I recommend a strict limitation of the practice of Punakad* 

 cultivation by Malialais in these jungles, and an entire prohibi- 

 tion in the virgin forests which remain. This rude system has 

 increased of late years to such an extent on the Shervarai Hills 

 that the topes are denuded of timber. I also remarked the same 

 destruction prevailing in the Javadi Hills, and have addressed the 

 coljector on the subject. Mr Fane, when acting collector, issued 

 a prohibitory proclamation ; and it is very desirable that leave 

 should in every case be obtained from the revenue authorities, 

 as in Canara. 



9. Overseer Yarde reports having marked 2803 sandal-wood f 



trees on the Javadi Hills, varying from 3 to 14 feet in length 



and 10 to 30 inches in girth. About 15,000 young plants have 



been counted and registered. I am now proceeding to these hills 



for the purpose of ascertaining whether any of the sandal-wood 



trees are full grown, and fit to be cut into billets. 



L. Blenkinsop, 

 Asst. Conservator of Forests, 



* The restraining of Punakad (i. e. Kumari) is important, it should be 

 under the same restrictions as in Canara. Orders to this effect have ap- 

 peared in the Salem Gazette. 



t The discovery of so many sandal-wood trees in a new locality is inter- 

 esting, and may be a source of revenue hereafter ; the quality of the wood 

 has yet to be ascertained. — H. C. 



