POON SPAKS. 



In the last Eeport of Dr Gibson, Conservator of Forests, Bom- 

 bay, attention was directed to the subject of Poon Spars, and 

 and their value for naval purposes. These are supplied entirely 

 from Canara and Coorg, but with no system for regulating the 

 supply. The matter engaged the attention of the Bombay 

 G-oyernment, who applied to the Commissioner of Mysore for 

 information as to Poon Spars, and Teak Timber growing in the 

 Coorg forests. These communications were submitted for my 

 opinion, the substance of which is contained in the following 

 paragraph. 



The poon trees ought to be strictly conserved as a royalty, as 

 was the system under the native Government, and in cases where 

 the extension of coffee cultivation approaches the poon trees, 

 clumps or belts should be spared, particularly on the western slope 

 of the ghats, with sufficient jungle round them to draw up the 

 bole, as the value of the tree depends upon the spar being without 

 knot or flaw. In cases of solitary poons suited for masts, the 

 spar should be dragged to the edge of the coffee clearing, beyond 

 the reach of conflagration, as was recommended in my Pirst Ee- 

 port, par. 34, for Teak and Blackwood (p. 16). 



The remarks of Capt. Martin as to the working of the Coorg 

 forests, under the small establishment recently formed, are judi- 

 cious. It seems inexpedient that Government should undertake, 

 under ordinary circumstances, the carriage of poon spars and teak 

 logs. This work can be effected at a lower rate by contract ; as 

 the country improves in prosperity, the number of contractors will 

 increase ; and in the present instance a large establishment must 

 be formed specially for the purpose, which would entail great ex- 

 pense for superintendence. Contractors for the supply of poon 

 spars and telegraph posts usually bring a letter to the super- 

 intendent; and every assistance should be afforded in marking 

 and pointing out the timber best suited for their purposes, in the 

 localities most accessible to the trunk road or the river. 



