ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT OP THE ASSISTANT SUPERIN- 
TENDENT OE FORESTS, PENANG, FOR THE YEAR 1885. 
I. -FORESTS. $ 
The demarcation of reserves, commenced in 1881, was continued 
during the past year, and, so far as the island of Penang is concerned, is 
now almost completed. 
2. The number of reserves demarcated during the year are four, 
viz., Bukit Batu Feringhi, Bukit Laksamana, the Highlands ; and that 
portion of the island to the north-west of a line drawn from the sea 
coast near Teluk Bahang, to the sea near Pantei Acheh on the opposite 
side. 
3. These reserves are, for the most part; covered with small timber 
or scrub, and contain very little hare land requiring planting. 
4. The length of line opened during the year is twenty-three miles, 
which, together with that previously done, makes a total of fifty-three 
miles. 
5. It having been decided that nothing can be done towards pur- 
chasing the bare land over the watershed, for the purpose of re- affores- 
tation, the line from Bukit Timah to the Cooly-lines half way up 
Government Hill has been carried above the cleared land to the hack of 
Bukit Padre, thus completing the circle of the main range which was left 
unfinished in 1884, pending the settlement of this question then before 
the Government. 
6. A small staff of Forest watchmen have been at work since March, 
and are stationed at Penara Bukit, Teluk Bahang, and half way up 
Government Hill. This staff will require strengthening as the area to be 
guarded has been considerably extended since they were first engaged. 
7. Notices in Chinese, Tamil, and Malay, have been posted along 
the boundary lines, informing cultivators and others that licenses to cut 
timber, &c., issued by the Land Office, are of no avail within the reserved 
area, and have led to the boundary being generally respected. 
Pro - vince Wellesley. 
8. Hitherto the limited means at our disposal prevented operations 
being carried across the strait, the demarcation of hill ranges in Penang 
being of the first importance, but during the past year a commencement 
has been made in Province Wellesley. 
A plot of land of seventy-two acres has been taken over, about two 
acres of which has been cleared to serve as a Forest-tree nursery. 
9. A demand for Dedap having arisen among the Achinese planters 
near the boundary, to enable them to extend the cultivation of pepper, 
seven thousand plants have been planted on a portion of this land, and 
another portion planted with teak, merbau, &c., for trial. 
