306 TEAK PLANTATIONS. 



fulfil the end proposed." He suggested the sowing of seeds in 

 the forests, with the precautions necessary to their germina- 

 tion, as well as the replanting of shoots from the roots of old 

 trees. In order to prepare the seed before sowing, M. Perrottet 

 recommended their being stratified, either in boxes, or in a damp 

 warm soil, sheltered from the rays of the sun. The process to be 

 observed, if a box was used, was to place in it successive layers 

 of earth, composed of vegetable manure and seeds, till the box 

 was filled, taking care, however, that the box was not so deep as 

 to cause the seeds at the bottom to rot. This mass was to be 

 frequently watered for forty days, by which time it was expected 

 the seeds would germinate, when they should be carried to suit- 

 able spots in the forests, and placed in couplets or triplets, or in 

 twos and threes, in holes of about two inches at the deepest, and 

 slightly covered with a small portion of earth. These holes 

 should be at the distance of about six feet from each other. The 

 trees, when they grow, being thus near one another, shoot 

 more perpendicularly, without throwing out lateral branches. All 

 lateral branches should be cut, from the ground to the summit 

 of the tree ; but up to the height of twenty feet they should be cut 

 smoothly. When the young plants from the seed have attained 

 a height of between one and two feet, all trees and brambles, 

 which at first were necessary to shade them, should be removed, 

 to give the teak air and light, " elements thenceforth indispen- 

 sable to the progressive development of these trees." M. Perrot- 

 tet, however, was more in favour of the system of propagation 

 by replanting the shoots from the roots of old trees, which he 

 thought an easier and a shorter one for multiplying teak trees.* 

 He said, — 



" I have remarked, wherever I have seen teak trees, that from 

 their roots, and especially from those that were cut close to the 

 ground, young trees were produced; that is to say, from some 

 parts of their roots straight and vigorous shoots sprung forth. 

 "We should profit then by those means which Nature points out, 

 by going into the forests, slightly uncovering some of the roots, 

 and cutting them in some places, in order to cause the develop- 



* This will not succeed ; occasionally stump shoots become useful trees, 

 but they are generally much inferior to seedlings. — H. 0. 



