8 
[vol. vii 
Indian, Forest Records. 
to the 15th of June, as the flow of Oleo-resin from the tree either entirely 
ceases or exudes in such small quantities that tapping is not considered 
worth while. During the greater part of this period the teee is generally 
leafless or in flower or fruit. As a rule the red variety of Thitsi is 
produced during June, July, August and September and the black 
variety for the remaining period of the tapping season—from one and 
the same tree be it noted. As the monsoon rains are heaviest during 
June, July, August and September, the red colouration of the Thitsi 
obtained during these months would appear to be caused by the admix¬ 
ture of water which finds its way into the bamboo tubes containing 
the Oleo-resin. 
6. The season’s yield per tree and per chisel. 
I have not myself been able to conduct any experiments in this 
matter ; but from information collected from a fairly large number of 
TMs^-tappers, it would appear that the yield of Thitsi from trees of 
approximately the same girth and general appearance, growing in 
similar localities, varies considerably. Further, a tree of apparently 
good development and vigour often yields less Thitsi than a smaller 
poorly developed and less vigorous specimen. The size and appearance 
of a tree is apparently, therefore, not a guide as a rule as to its Thitsi- 
producing capacity. On the statements of tappers, the season’s yield 
from the best T/ito’-producing tree does not exceed 5 viss (1 viss = 3*6 
pounds), and an average yield of from 1 \ to 2 viss from the best specimens 
operated on is considered good. 
The Thitsi- tapping capacity of the individual Shan varies exceedingly. 
In localities wh ere the tree is plentiful, areally hard-working and 
efficient tapper obtains from 100 to 120 viss of Thitsi in a season—’but 
fortunately for the Thitsi tree energy is apparently not one of the 
characteristics of the Shan race, and the hard-working Shans I have 
met are few and far between—but the average tapper’s collection can 
be taken at from 40 to 60 viss per season. 
The price of the red Thitsi varies from Rs. 65 to Rs. 85, and of the 
black from Rs. 90 to Rs. 120 per 100 viss at the tapper’s village, and the 
income derived from Thitsi- tapping forms an important subsidiary 
means of livelihood of a large percentage of the people residing in or 
near Thitsi- bearing forests. 
7. Annual outturn and market value. 
Statistics are not available of the quantity of Thitsi collected annually 
over the areas to which this article relates, but I give below the quantities 
[ 82 ] 
