20 
Indian Forest Records. [Vol. VIII 
water content is uniformly higher than that of the northern 
half. Also that, subsequently to the setting in of the rains 
in June 1915, after an interval of 2 fine days, the upper 6 
inches layer of soil is distinctly drier in the open plot IV 
than it is in the shade plot V. On the other hand, during 
a spell of hot dry weather in April 1916, the upper 1 foot 
of soil in open plot IV is very much moister than that of shade 
plot V*. The main factors, therefore, responsible for the 
much better growth in the open plot No. IV, as compared 
with that of the shade plot No. V, appear to be : 
(a) Improved soil-aeration and consequently stronger root-growth 
during the rains, owing to the partial drying out of the 
soil during the intervals of hot sunshine. 
(b) Moister soil, owing to dew and light showers, during the 
cold and dry season, which reduces the danger of damage 
from drought. 
(5) The northern half of Plot IV shows that clearing the overhead 
cover in a patch 60 feet in diameter, has resulted in the produc¬ 
tion of vigorous established sal seedlings which have attained 
a height of practically 5J feet in 5J years. 
(6) Taking the whole of Plot IV together, we get an average height- 
growth of 55 inches in 5Jyears or 10 inches per annum, which 
is the same as that calculated in 1915, thus showing that the 
average annual height-growth has remained practically con¬ 
stant throughout the period of the experiment. 
(7) Burning off the dead leaves in the eastern half of plot V has 
apparently not decreased the number of surviving seedlings 
(compare 8 per cent, survivors in eastern half with 7 per cent, 
in western). It has, however, apparently weakened the 
plants. All of the stems being burnt back in June 1916. 
there was a sharp drop in the height-growth from 9-3 inches 
in April 1916 to 6-0 inches in July 1916, and the height-growth 
in 1919 was only 8-3 inches against 10*6 inches in the 
unburnt western area ; whereas, before the burning in April 
1916, the height was almost equal in the 2 areas, viz. 9*3 
inches and 9-8 inches. 
* See also para. 57 (14) (16) (18) (19) (20) below. 
[ 182 ] 
