Part VIII] Smythies : Afforestation of Ravine Lands 
15 
kept on the plantations, to prevent the plants growing up over¬ 
crowded. The actual periods and density of thinnings have not yet 
been standardised, but this will be done in a year or two as the 
plantations develop. 
Area reclaimed. 
Prevention of further ero¬ 
sion. 
SECTION IV.—Results obtained to Date. 
21. The results obtained from the System of intensive dry farming 
have been extraordinary, and far exceed original anticipations. Some 
of the more striking points may be recorded. 
The total area converted into plantations during the past 6 years 
amounts to rather over 2,500 acres of ravine 
lands. This may by some be regarded as 
rather slow work, in view of the immense areas to be dealt with. It 
must however be realised that this ravine reclamation work is in its 
way unique, in India at least, as nothing like it has been attempted 
before. It is not surprising that development was at first somewhat 
slow, there was no previous experience to guide the experiment. The 
surprise is generally that such success should have been achieved in 
six years, and now that methods of work have been standardised, it 
will be possible to accelerate the work. 
22. It has been established that further ravine erosion can be almost 
entirely stopped within two or three years 
(i.e., when the young plants have obtained 
a good start), provided that the afforestation 
work has been properly started at the heads of the ravines. When 
ravine reclamation is limited to the middle and lower portions of a 
ravine, not only is there nothing to stop further erosion at the top 
but the race of waters from the unprotected higher reaches renders it 
almost impossible to keep any bandhs intact. The work should there¬ 
fore always start at the ravine heads. 
23. The accompanying illustrations are striking evidence of the 
wonderful rate of growth of shisham and 
babul. The following sample plot notes are 
recorded of the areas illustrated in plates IX, X and XI. 
„ , , Plate IX, sample plot II. Pachdeora 
Babul. 
block. 
Babul mixed with some shisham. 
Soil .—A high level flat sandy loam, at the head of a ravine. Soil 
too dry for cultivation but fertile and of excellent quality when worked 
up. 
Area of plot. —150'X100' = *344 acres. 
Past treatment .—This area sown with babul and shisham in July 
1916, on field ridges and ditches 7 feet apart, first thinning in rains 
[ 231 ] 
Successful plantation. 
