MADRAS 295 
will bear the ranges of temperature prevalent at 
7,000 feet elevation in Nortnern India. At Oota- 
camund fuel costs one-tenth of what is charged at 
Simla, and the tree may find extended use in 
replanting the ‘“sholas,” or spinneys of evergreen 
forest, that guard the springs on the downs of the 
Nilgherry Hills. 
Those averse from the practice of forestry in 
Madras declare that these remnants of the forest 
are not decreasing in size, and they point to isolated 
stems now standing in the open as proof of their 
assertion. But those who know the habits of ever- 
green trees are aware that such stems are only the 
survivors of those that once covered large areas 
with their heavy shade, and have been left solitary 
when the forest receded under the attacks of cattle 
and fire. In open country, especially where a heavy 
rainfall obtains, erosion presents some danger even 
if the watercourses are protected ; but when these 
are being laid bare of vegetation it will proceed 
with a rapidity that will cause both astonishment 
and annoyance to those interested in the hill-settle- 
ments of Madras. It would have been delightful to 
have camped on these high downs of Southern 
India, for it must be charming to roam at these 
elevations, where also tiger, panther, bison, and 
the Nilgherry goat, are to be found ; but we had no 
leisure for pastime—little time, indeed, to see as 
much as was desirable in so large a country as 
Madras. 
On return to Calcutta, the question of forest 
education in reference to the recruitment of officers 
of the Imperial Forest Service was under considera- 
