100 
Indian Forest Records. 
[ VoL. II. 
In one case only, serial No. 6, has height growth properly com- 
menced. It will be noted that development is confined mainly to the 
root system and that the length of the tap-root depends to a great extent 
on the nature of the soil it is called on to penetrate. Serial No. 7 
depicted in Plate A, though probably as old as Nos. 1-5, has an ex- 
tremely short tap-root, due no doubt to the almost impenetrable 
nature of the soil. 
(e) Summary and Conclusions. 
It may be well to halt here a moment, and enumerate the chief facts 
we have learnt regarding the early stages of development of the seedling. 
They may be summarized as follows : — 
(1) The seed requires to be subjected to a thorough soaking for 
some time before germination sets in. 
(2) Growth is very rapid as soon as germination has set in, the 
principal development being in the formation of a tap-root. 
(3) The length of the tap-root depends on the nature of the soil 
it has to traverse, deep loose soil favouring a long tap-root, 
and vice versa. 
(4) This tap-root may attain a length of 3 feet or more, that de- 
pending on the nature of the soil. 
(5) The first year’s growth is almost completed within the first 
two months of rainfall, subsequent development being 
very shght. 
(6) The majority of the seedlings die down at the end of each 
cold weather, and produce fresh shoots the following rains 
by development of the cotyledonary buds. 
(7) The second and third year shoots are not nearly so vigorous, 
as those of the first year. 
(8) Root development after the first year is gradual but continuous 
and is in the direction of girth as well as length. 
(3) The Sapling. 
(a) Its Appearance. 
We must now pass over the unknown interval of seven or more 
years and make a fresh start with a typical sapling which has just 
commenced its principal height growth. In the natural forests with 
