l24 
Indian Forest Records. 
[VOL.II. 
answer would appear to be that, as the grass had been removed from 
this plot already since December 1906, the seedlings on it were more 
acclimatised to exposure to excessive heat and evaporation. 
The results of this experiment must be taken for what they are worth, 
but it will add to their importance to append some general observations 
made when carrying out the countings. 
Date. 
Plot TII. 
Plot IV. 
oth August 1908 . 
83 out of 159 seedlings have 
produced new shoots from 
the root column. The long- 
est shoots measure 7^’, fij", 
5-|', 51". The majority are 
between 2" and 4". 
17 out of 81 seedlings have pro- 
duced new shoots from the root 
column. No notice i ble differ, 
once from the seed iugs kept 
clear of grass. 
7th January 1 909 
Without exception all the 
leaves have dropped and the 
shoots are beginning to dry 
up. 
Without exception all the seed- 
lings have their leaves, which 
so far shov.' no signs of wither- 
ing. All the plants look 
healthy. Grass dense, aver- 
age height 2 feet. 
Of particular interest are the notes made on 7th January 1909, show- 
ing clearly that the grass acts as a protective covering to the seedlings 
against the sun’s rays, hinders evaporation, and lengthens the seedlings’ 
pei'iod of vegetative activity. 
{vi) Results of investigations . — This completes our case against 
Mr. Fernandez’s theory. It will be well to briefly sum up the results 
of our investigations, before attempting to put forward an alternative 
theory. 
They may be summarized as follows : — 
(1) Grass, as such, does not hinder the germination of Anjan 
seedlings. 
(2) Anjan seedlings may fail to survive on soil quite free of grass. 
(3) The tap-root of the Anjan is quite capable of penetrating 
through any obstruction of grass roots. 
(4) The first season of growth is the crucial one in the life history 
of the seedhng, the mortality being then the heaviest. 
(5) Seedlings on soil clothed with grass retain their leaves for a 
longer period than those on soil not so clothed. 
