206 FOREST LIFE AND SPORT IN INDIA 
The exploration of the North Islands and the 
compilation of a plan for their working disclosed the 
fact that about 10,000 tons of padauk and 20,000 
tons of other timber would be annually available for 
export. The beauty of the former wood is un- 
doubted, but experts report it to be difficult in 
working, so that for furniture it could not replace 
mahogany ; they admit that for internal decoration 
such as panelling, staircases, flooring, etc., it is 
almost unsurpassed, and the large size of the timber 
makes it peculiarly suitable for this work. A trial 
contract involving the delivery of 12,000 tons had 
already been completed, the timber in the log at 
Port Blair fetching about half the price of good 
mahogany in London, and the greater part of this 
went to America, where it was much admired. That 
country has, however, now its own tropical island 
forests managed by expert and zealous foresters, 
and doubtless will not go abroad for what can 
be obtained from its home possessions. Of other 
timbers, some are ornamental, and others might 
serve well for railway sleepers after impregnation, or 
would be bought up in the Indian market for build- 
ing native houses; and where Government possess, 
as in the Andamans, an excess forest capital whose 
reduction is advisable, so that a full rate of interest 
(that is, of increment growth) can be forthcoming on 
the remainder, it appears probable that it would pay 
well to accept a very moderate royalty on the 
surplus stock that has been accumulating during 
centuries, and that similarly lenient terms would 
provide a reasonable perpetual dividend when the 
forest was in good working order. 
