CHAPTER V. 
Suggestions for Improved Methods of Cultivation. 
Among the desiderata for scientific methods of cultivation are 
a thorough knowledge of the life-history 
Locality. & * 
and habits of the lac insect and its hosts 
and of the effects of climate and locality upon them, and effective 
safeguards against the attacks of enemies. Our present meagre 
knowledge on these subjects has been summarized in previous chap¬ 
ters of this report. There is no pretension that the following method 
of cultivation is the best. It is the result of personal observation 
of existing methods and attempts to avoid their defects. It has not 
yet been put to any practical test, and will probably require modifi¬ 
cation, perhaps considerable modifications, to meet the requirements 
of different localities with varying conditions. 
The requisite climatic conditions have been described in Chap¬ 
ter I. Subject to these, the ideal area for cultivation is one in which 
as large a number as possible of well-developed and vigorous 
lac-bearing trees are available. Small and decrepit trees should be 
avoided as they are liable to be killed even by a single infection with 
lac. Old trees should be felled and their places taken by seedlings 
or coppice shoots. 
The best lac is produced on the Kusum tree and, were other 
conditions equal, every one would grow Kusum lac. Kusum is, 
however, not a gregarious species; it is generally found scattered 
through forests and its cultivation is difficult. Palas is a common 
tree, frequently gregarious, especially in open grazing grounds near 
habitations. It is, therefore, often preferred. Ber is becoming more 
and more popular. Though not ipdigenous to all lac-growing 
districts, it has been widely planted for the sake of its fruit. Moreover 
it is a hardy tree and produces lac in quantity and of good colour 
and high quality. Ghont, where it occurs naturally, is to be strongly 
recommended, especially in Damoh and neighbouring districts where 
it grows almost gregariously over large areas of forest. Pipal and 
Banyan are not recommended. Though of good colour the lac is of 
poor quality; the trees are not gregarious and there is considerable 
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