72 
Indian Forest Records. 
[VoL. I. 
(2) The branches containing the lac brood must be picked at such a 
time as to ensure — 
i. That the larvae will not swarm whilst still en route to their desti- 
nation. 
ii. That the brood-lac is not so immature that the branches con- 
taining it will dry up, thus kilhng the females before their 
eggs are mature and ready to hatch into larvae. 
As has been pointed out, the periods of maturity and hatching out of 
the larvae vary in different parts of the country and importers of brood-lac 
must rely on the experience of those in charge of the lac areas from which 
they introduce colonies. They must, however, insist on obtaining these 
colonies from the proper species of tree, or certain failure will be the result 
of their efforts — a failure which has often been experienced in the past and 
has led to so many attempts at lac cultivation in areas where it was pre- 
viously unknown being abandoned, thus bringing into disrepute efforts to 
establish a valuable industry in areas entirely favourable to its introduc- 
tion. 
iii. Leases given out for lac preserves should not be less than, say, of 
five years’ duration. This is necessary to enable the lessee 
to undertake the necessary steps for the cultivation of the pro- 
duct. 
In Assam the insect lives upon Cajanus indicus, and this fact would 
seem to demand serious attention in this quarter. There appears to be 
every reasonable hope of a large industry growing up by the careful culti- 
vation of lac upon this plant, which could be grown on short rota- 
tions, without the risk attendant on cultivation upon large trees. Lac 
cultivation on Cajanus indicus is said to yield more valuable returns 
than cotton cultivation. 
Lastly, the District Officer can further the introduction of and growth 
of the industry by encouraging the planting of the best species of lac- 
bearing trees in his district. 
One of the dangers which faces the cultivation of lac in the district 
waste lands is due to the fact that such areas are annually overrun by fire. 
It need scarcely be said that lac preserves require to be rigidly protected 
against fire. 
Forest Department Lands. 
Over twenty years ago Mr. J. McKee, late Conservator of Forests, in 
his article published in the Indian Forester, parts of which have been 
