28 Indian Forest Records. [Vol. VI 
principally at Nyaungbinle, west of the Chindwin river, and Songon and 
Ngonchaung on the east bank. Practically all the thitsi is used locally, 
at Maungdaung and Kyaukka, in the manufacture of lacquered trays 
and cups, about 3,000 viss being required annually, and some of this 
comes from the Myittha and Mu divisions. The thitsi is sold locally, 
in kerosine oil tins containing 11 viss, at Rs. 15. 
XYI. Ruby Mines .—There are large areas of forests containing 
thitsi in this division, but owing to difficulties with labour and with 
the licensees, none has been extracted since 1911-12. Before that, tenders 
were invited for the right to tap the trees in certain blocks of forest, and 
a license issued to the successful tenderer. The Divisional Forest Officer 
thinks that there is no reason why the forests should not yield about 
10,000 viss of thitsi annually. Between 1895-96 and 1911-12, the revenue 
realized was Rs. 10,676, the quantity extracted being estimated at 
160,000 viss ; but during 1907-08 and 1909-10, no thitsi was extracted. 
It could be easily collected on the banks of the Shweli and Irrawaddy 
rivers and could be brought down by boat thence to Mandalay. 
XVII. Mandalay and Northern Shan States.-—Thitsi is now obtained 
chiefly in the valley of the Madaya river above Mandalay and from 
the forests near Maymyo, but a large quantity was formerly obtained 
from the Northern Shan States. During the last ten years the following 
amounts have been extracted :— 
Forest. 
Viss. 
Revenue 
realized. 
Hsipaw and Hsum Hsai (Northern Shan States) 
33,000 
Rs. 
3,334 
Maymyo ......... 
4,770 
477 
Madaya ......... 
29,875 
3,405 
Total 
67,645 
7,216 
Since 1909 very little thitsi has been extracted from the Northern 
Shan States, but the Divisional Forest Officer considers that the trade 
might be revived by the reservation of forests so as to protect them 
from destruction by the villagers, who make large areas of temporary 
cultivation on these hills. 
Prepaid licenses are issued to the tappers, but the number has 
decreased considerably of recent years. This may be due to the state 
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