22 FOREST TEEES. 



Fig.-Bot. Plates Lal-Bagh Collection. Wight 

 Ic. 164. 



References.-L>ici- of Econ. Prod, of Ind. ; Fl. of 

 Brit. Ind. ; Driiry U. Pl- 

 The lac tree of Mysore. Confined to the 

 deciduous tracts of the maidan. Abundant m the 

 Anekal, Closepet, and Nundydroog Taluks, where 

 the propagation of lac has been actively taken up 

 by the Forest Department. In the first named 

 Taluk, Mr. Bapu Hao, the Assistant Conservator of 

 Forests, Bangalore District, is extending the propa- 

 gation of both the tree and the insect very rapidly. 

 Lac being in great demand this action cannot fail, 

 in the course of a few years, to largely increase forest 

 revenue. The method of propagation is to fasten 

 small bundles of twigs, with young insects upon 

 them, on to the upper limbs and branches of the 

 unaffected trees. Jalari remains bare of leaf during 

 the end of the cold season, after which it bursts 

 into blossom and fills the air with its fragrance for 

 some days. The pure white flowers are produced 

 in abundant lax panicles, a little in advance of the 

 young leaves. A plantation in full blossom is a 

 glorious sight, and swarms with millions of bees 

 and other honey-finders. In addition to lac, the 

 species affords a kind of dammar. "Wood yellowish, 

 lieavy and durable, capable of taking a good polish 

 and not infrequently used for local building. "Weight 

 54 lb, per cubic foot. It is a reserved tree of the 

 first class. 



Cultivation.— BasHy raised from seed, but not 

 very self -productive m all localities. Nursery stock 

 should be transplanted into the field when the 

 seedhngs are a foot to eighteen inches in height. 

 Pits 3 X 3 ft. Seedlings answer well in loam ; thev 

 should be 25 to 30 feet apart. 



