182 PLANTATION OF AUSTRALIAN TEEES. 



of whom at present perish on the journey, and others come into 

 hospital, in a hopeless state, from the effects of exposure. 



" In a climate where the temperature is so variable, and mois- 

 ture so prevalent as on the Nilgiri Hills, an abundant supply of 

 firewood or other fuel becomes an absolute necessity for the 

 preservation of health, among all classes, both Europeans and 

 natives. 



. " I need hardly remark that the providing of fuel is a matter 

 which cannot be left till the urgent demand arises, but should be 

 anticipated by every possible means. When the barracks at 

 Wellington are fully occupied by troops, and the European popu- 

 lation on the hills generally increases, which there seems every 

 prospect of, the demand for fuel will be proportionably increased; 

 and I can fancy no greater hardship that could arise, or anything 

 more likely to affect the health of all classes, than a scarcity of so 

 necessary an article as good fuel." 



The testimony of Dr W. Aitken is as follows : — " Much may 

 be done by planting judiciously within moderate limits, not 

 only to meet any prospective increase in the demand for fire- 

 wood, but also to produce timber fit for various useful pur- 

 poses. I am disposed to think that some measures for the 

 extended cultivation of trees are urgently called for, as well as 

 for the preservation of those portions of the natural forests which 

 still remain ; as it appears doubtful if the latter will long be able 

 to afford a supply sufficient for even the present demand for fire- 

 wood, except at the expense of their indiscriminate destruction 

 in the vicinity of the Stations ; an event which might easily be 

 obviated by the adoption of suitable precautions. The means 

 which I should suggest as most likely to meet all the require- 

 ments in the least objectionable manner, is the planting in every 

 direction of open clusters of trees, which would interfere little, 

 if at all, with cultivation around and beneath them, and also of 

 comparatively open rows on ground un suited to other kinds of 

 cultivation." 



