FIREWOOD. 153 



my former Memor. (p. 145) tended to prove, that the system of 

 renting and sub-renting lately commenced had been highly pre- 

 judicial to the jungles, and oppressive to the people. I had 

 reason to mark that it was so in Striharikota ; and I have no 

 doubt that the same system is attended with the same results 

 in Nellore and Guntur, and other districts, from which supplies 

 of firewood are conveyed to Madras. The renters assume great 

 pretensions, and, if not watched, levy cess on the villagers in the 

 neighbourhood, and on the boats plying in the creeks. 



19. The least objectionable course, in my opinion, would be to 

 throw the privilege of cutting, and the duty of maintaining, the 

 jungles on those who can perform both at least cost, and are most 

 interested in their preservation, viz. the villagers. No tax should 

 be levied from them but upon the cargo, as I believe was the 

 system formerly. 



20. It is generally admitted, that the nearer the tax is placed 

 to the consumer, and the further from the producer, the better. 



21. As to the introduction of a system of preservation and 

 progressive improvement, to undertake this in sterile tracts on 

 behalf of Government, by paid agents, is hopeless. The salary of 

 a moderately-skilled overseer and peons would .exceed the pro- 

 ceeds ; the villagers alone can be looked to as the instruments 

 in this matter. They have felt the inconvenience of a foreign 

 renter, and will look on the permission as a boon, whilst a threat 

 of returning to the rent will make them anxious to deserve the 

 continuance of the privilege. 



22. The next question is the mode of preservation and im- 

 provement, so as to keep up the largest supply on the ground. 

 I think the best arrangement is, to reserve thirty standard trees 

 to the acre, preferring such as are valuable for fruit, leaves, gums, 

 or medicine. Whenever salt water tidal creeks occur, with muddy 

 banks, seeds of the mangrove tribe, common to such localities, 

 should be sown. 



23. The villagers will probably do this if properly encouraged : 

 the Palmyrah (Borassus flabelliformis) has increased very much 

 by their means : the babul (Acacia Arahica) and punga (Pon- 

 gamia glabra) grow and germinate freely, and cattle do not touch 

 them. They will undertake the sowing of these with the dirisana 



