Part III.] E. Benskin and A. Rodger : Note on Thitsi, 29 
of the Mandalay market, and it is probable that the trade could again 
be brought to a high level by business-like methods. 
The Divisional Forest Officer has supplied a list of 28 small traders, 
each of whom can supply some 20-40 viss per annum. Up-to-date 
information on this point can be obtained from him at any time. It is 
estimated that together these dealers can supply the following 
Red thitsi (Yeni thitsi) . 770 viss per annum at Rs. 6 to 8 per 10 viss 
Brown thitsi (Yegyaung 
thitsi) . . . . 900 viss per annum at Rs. 7 to 9 per 10 viss. 
Black thitsi (Yenet thitsi) . 1,240 viss per annum at Rs. 11 to 12 per 10 viss. 
XVIII. Meiktila. —The trade is at present of very small dimensions, 
but it could be increased if the demand for thitsi improves by allowing 
tapping in the Yeyaman and Pyetkaywe Reserves. Between August 
1909 and March 1915, about 25,000 viss were extracted, the revenue 
realized being Rs. 2,468. The Divisional Forest Officer estimates that 
about 600 viss of each of the three varieties (black, brown, and red) can 
be obtained annually from the villagers in the north-eastern corner of 
the division at Rs. 150, 100 and 80 per 100 viss respectively. 
XIX. Pyinmana. —The monopoly of the right to tap thitsi over 
certain defined areas is auctioned annually, and the revenue received 
from this source during the last ten years amounts to Rs. 12,395. A 
very rough estimate of the amount of thitsi extracted is 125,000 viss, 
and this is usually sold at the towns on the railway, where enquirers will 
find the dealers. The Divisional Forest Officer does not think that the 
trade can be much increased. 
XX. Southern Shan States .—In the unclassed forests tapping is 
carried on without restriction or license of any kind, and the Divisional 
Forest Officer notes that the result of this wasteful procedure is that a 
large percentage of trees is killed annually and reproduction is seriously 
affected. No licenses to tap trees in the Reserves are or have been 
issued. No duty is leviable in the Southern Shan States, but on thitsi 
exported to Burma, Rs. 10 per 100 viss is paid at the first revenue station 
it reaches in Burma, or the Revenue stations at Aungban, Kalaw and 
Myindaik on the Southern Shan States Railway. The places where 
the greater part of the thitsi is collected on its way 5 to Burma are, Aung¬ 
ban, Thazi, Myittha, Pyawbwe, Kyaukme and Hsipaw. At these 
places the collectors themselves sell the thitsi to brokers. In the 
Bampon sub-division, the following are said to deal in thitsi on a fairly 
large scale :— J 
Mg. Po Chon of Kengtung. 
Ai Lu and Mg. Khan of Tunhong. 
Pwe Sa Gone of Mongpan. 
r 125 3 
