152 FIREWOOD. 



12. To illustrate the varying circumstances of different dis- 

 tricts, let us take Madras, Mangalore, and Utakamand. The 

 rules which experience has suggested for any one of these are 

 unsuitable to the other two. 



13. In Madras, according to the published records of the late 

 Military Board,* the consumption of firewood and charcoal was 

 estimated in 1852 at 98,652J tons per annum. This has in- 

 creased much as railway operations have advanced, while the 

 source of supply has diminished. The spontaneous reproduction 

 of neighbouring jungle being inadequate for the purpose, the de- 

 ficit has been made up from a distance by increased facilities of 

 communication. 



14. In Mangalore, the capital of a wooded district, the price 

 is high, owing to external demand. At the auctions, the lots are 

 greedily bought by country traders for Bombay, Karachi, &c, 

 and the sale of firewood in Canara thereby yields a very con- 

 siderable revenue. 



15. In Utakamand, the ripe trees of the indigenous sholas are 

 sold by auction, fetching a small return (Es. 20 or 30 per shola). 

 As the influx of settlers increases, the original tree vegetation 

 will disappear entirely, prohibitory rules will be futile, and then 

 proprietors will plant according to their own requirements, and a 

 few probably for profit. The experimental plantations of Govern- 

 ment show that this may be done successfully. 



16. The consumption of firewood for cooking and artificial 

 temperature is much greater in the hill stations than in the Car- 

 natic ; indeed, the consumption may be expected to increase in 

 the ratio of the altitude. 



17. I have been asked to lay down conditions of management 

 for the firewood jungles of Striharikota and the sholas of Utaka- 

 mand. It is necessary that they should be very simple, or they 

 will be inoperative. The native lessees are ignorant and un- 

 scrupulous ; and unless the conditions be made penal under the 

 new police, all forest rules will be violated with impunity. 



18. To furnish rules for the economical conservation of the 

 Striharikota and other small jungles is a difficult matter ; but. 



* Report of the Military Board to Government, 26th April 1853, p. 98. 



