178 
Indian Forest Records. 
[ VoL. I. 
At tHs stage it is impossible to generalise or to deduce reliable con- 
clusions from the figures given in the preceding statement. It is admitted 
that many of the sample plots have been badly chosen ; measurements 
are in some cases inaccurate or, for obvious reasons, deceptive ; and the 
trees have almost invariably developed under most abnormal conditions. 
But, even ignoring these blemishes, it is clear that each sample plot 
should be carefully and separately studied in order that the quahty of 
the locality [soil, climate, spring -water level, etc.) and the effects of the 
sylvicultural treatment may be correctly gauged, and given their full 
value. The importance of such investigations is only too manifest. In 
the preparation of Indian Working-Plans, almost without exception, the 
rate of girth growth enters into the calculation of the possibility ; and 
whilst an over-estimation of the mean annual girth increment will lead 
to over-exploitation, under-estimation by unnecessarily lengthening the 
rotation may cause serious financial loss. 
Bearing these remarks in mdnd, it may be interesting to consider 
broadly and over large tracts, how far the data at present available give 
any indication as to the effect of the different factors of locality on the 
rate of girth growth, (excluding soil, which in itself is of the greatest im- 
portance). This will be facilitated by a reference to the following state- 
ment, which contains a summary by Forest Divisions of the preceding 
data. 
