\ * 
3 
IMPROVEMENT OF FORESTS. 
Natural Reproduction. 
14. Although tab an * fruited heavily in parts of the Federated Malay 
States it was reported that no fruit set on the taban trees on Pulau Jerejak 
or at Telok Bahang or Batu Feringgi. Trees fruited at Ayer Kroh in 
Malacca, but owing to the depredations of birds and animals no seed was 
obtained. Protection can only be successfully undertaken at prohibitive ex 
pense. There is nothing to record as to other species. 
PLANTATIONS AND CULTURAL OPERATIONS. 
15. Five acres were planted approximately io' x io 7 with taban me rah 
seedlings in the Telok Bahang Reserve. This is an extension of the work 
of filling the blanks in natural taban forest. Cost $21. 
16. Five hundred cuttings of bamboo (buluh belat) were also planted 
in Telok Bahang, in continuation of the experiment begun in 1923.^ 
17. There were no other additions to plantations. 
18. For many years scrub jungle has been allowed to grow up with the 
timber trees planted in Bukit Bruang Reserve in Malacca, Quick growing- 
species which had overtaken the merbau were cut out. 
19. Plantation upkeep was carried out by the staff with the exception of 
Si 18 spent in Malacca, and $55 in Penang. 
20. Receipts from the Singapore Para rubber plantations amounted to 
$1,041. The Malacca mixed plantations’ revenue was $308. 
IMPROVEMENT FELLINGS. 
21. Clearings were done over 122 acres in Bukit Senggeh, Ayer Panas 
and Ramuan China Reserves in Malacca at a cost of $255. This operation 
consists in freeing class I saplings and seedlings in areas which have been 
lately exploited by wood-cutters. The light admitted by the opening of the 
forest benefits the less valuable, and usually quicker growing trees, as much 
as it does the class I trees. In consequence the latter require assistance until 
they are well established and able to hold their own in the struggle for 
supremacy. 
EXPLOITATION. 
Timber and Fuel. 
(a) From Reserved Forests. 
22. In Singapore exploitation continued in the 1923 mangrove coupes 
in Randan and Seletar Reserves. As was foreshadowed in previous year's 
report, no new coupes were leased. Arrangements have now been made 
whereby the supervision of exploitation in these reserves should be more 
efficient and when it is certain that these arrangements will be effective the 
question of opening new coupes will be again considered. In the meantime 
the only prudent course is to close the forest to further commercial cutting. 
The outturn of poles was estimated at 92 tons and that of firewood at 5,590 
tons, of which 1,110 tons was taken from the 1923 mangrove coupes, and the 
balance from other parts of mangrove and inland reserves under monthly 
permits. Revenue $1,053 as against 85,345 in 1923. 
* The botanical names of the trees, etc., mentioned in this Report are given in Appendix A. 
