CHAPTER XII. 
Summary of Recommendations, 
The principal defects from which the lac industry at present 
suffers are, firstly, speculation and secondly, adulteration. Both have 
their origin in the peculiar conditions of the industry ; the ignorance 
and improvidence of the cultivator ; the long distances from which 
stick-lac has to be brought to the markets; the large number of 
agents through whose hands it passes ; and the difficulty of estimating 
forthcoming supplies. The following general remedies have been 
suggested in the preceding chapters. 
In the first place, production should be stimulated in order 
that supplies may more nearly equal the foreign demand, which 
shows every tendency to increase. A detailed scheme is outlined in 
Chapter V for improved methods of cultivation on intensive lines, 
which might be adopted in Government Forests suitable for lac 
cultivation. In fact departmental working should, wherever possible, 
take the place of the present contract system which practical ex¬ 
perience has shown to be unsatisfactory. In the second place, 
where any choice is possible in the selection of host-trees, preference 
should be given to those which produce the better qualities of lac. 
Thirdly, the greatest importance is attached to the organization of 
brood and demonstration farms in order that zamindars and culti¬ 
vators may be assured of constant supplies of brood-lac of good 
quality, and may learn scientific methods of cultivation and collection. 
It is suggested that action on the above lines should be under¬ 
taken where possible by provincial Forest Departments. The results 
should be not merely beneficial to private cultivators, but should also 
with careful organization bring in no small accession of revenue. 
The two Governments chiefly concerned are those of Bihar and 
Orissa and the Central Provinces. Other Local Governments and 
many States will doubtless find it to their advantage to adopt 
similar methods. The two Governments mentioned would also be 
advised to appoint specialists to supervise the organization of lac 
farms and to undertake research in scientific methods of cultivation 
and collection. 
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