Part VIII] Smythies : Afforestation of Ravine Lands 
19 
hollows, while strong winds occasionally uproot fast grown plants, 
especially when white ants, porcupines, mice or other animals have 
damaged their base or root system. 
But the damage done hitherto is of very small importance, and 
we are justified in thinking that natural causes will not prevent the 
areas reclaimed from becoming successful and flourishing plantations. 
SECTION V.—Future possibilities and suggestions for future 
management. 
29. Excellent and promising as are the results obtained to date, 
they by no means absorb all the possibilities that lie before the affore¬ 
station of these ravine lands. 
Experimental introduction 
of new valuable species. 
Some of the experimental introductions 
of valuable plants which are being tried may 
be briefly mentioned. 
(1) Timber trees. 
Cedrela Toona (Tun), a valuable furniture wood, fast grown, 
suitable for growing in ravine bottoms. 
Holptelea integrifolia , an ideal timber for bobbins, fast grown and 
not grazed by animals. 
Adina cor difolia. (Haldu), another excellent timber for bobbins, 
and the demand for this timber exceeds the available supply. (Some 
plants in the Fisher Forest show a growth of 10 feet in 3 years.) 
Anogeissus latifolia (Bakli or Dhauri), a hard wood ideal for tool 
handles, and for which there is a growing demand. This species grows 
naturally on hot dry southern slopes in the submontane forests. 
Bassia latifolia .—The well known Mohwa. 
Terminalia Arjuna, a valuable constructional timber, suitable for 
ravine bottoms. 
Cinnamomum Camphor, the camphor tree. 
(2) Grasses. 
The Baib or Bhabar grass (Ischcemum angustifolium ), a plant of great 
promise for these ravine tracts. It grows naturally on hot dry slopes, 
is an excellent soil binder, and a good fodder grass so that its intro¬ 
duction should be of great use in years of fodder famine and drought; 
it is one of the principal raw materials for paper making in India, so 
there would always be a demand for it; useful also for rope making 
and a variety of other purposes. 
Munj grass (Saccharum arundinaceum ).—A valuable thatching 
grass, and useful for introduction in the areas above bandhs which 
are liable to be swampy in the rains. 
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