16 FOREST LIFE AND SPORT IN INDIA 
The Conservator is held responsible for the finance 
of his Circle, and for due progress being made in the 
protection, improvement, and outturn, of his forests. 
During eight months of the year he is occupied in 
tours of inspection in the forest ; during the remain- 
ing four he remains in his office preparing his annual 
report and his budget estimate, disposing of the 
returns from existing working plans and scrutinizing 
new proposals, and arranging for next season’s work 
—in fact, in the labours incidental to an agent who 
has under his control from five to nine great estates, 
each with separate interests, but all belonging to one 
owner. 
The foregoing brief sketch of the forests of India 
and the duties of those who have them in their 
charge is intended to present without unnecessary 
detail such information as may serve to obviate 
frequent explanations in future chapters. 
