Part V.] Pearson: Note on the Utilization of Bamboo . 43 
Were the Kadin Bilin catchment area, which lies directly north' of 
the Thonze Reserve and which is a continuation of the same block of 
forests, to be worked in addition, the outturn could be nearly doubled. 
The export of bamboos from the Thonze Reserve is already consi¬ 
derable. The bamboos are floated down the river, some are sold locally 
in Tharrawaddy, but the greater number are taken on down the Myitmaka 
to Rangoon. The outturn of all species of bamboos during the last 
five years was as follows :— 
Number. 
. 629,100 
. 546,550 
. 497,000 
. 494,700 
. 503,500 
Average . 534,170 
(7) Lines of export. 
The bamboos are at present dragged to the main or by-streams, a 
distance of under a mile. They are then rafted *down the main stream 
from 15th May to the end of November. After November and up to 
February, rafts can still be taken down, but they require to be pushed 
in places, thus rendering the cost of extraction higher. Floating is 
carried on down the by-streams from the commencement of the monsoon 
until October. The greatest distance over which floating is necessary, 
namely, from the foot of the main ridge of the Pegu Yoma at Kaingdagyi 
to Thonze, is 32 miles. A waterfall exists on the Kodugwe, on one of 
the largest northern tributaries, at a distance of 7 miles from its junction 
with the main stream. Floating is, therefore, not possible above this 
point, and in estimating the area of bamboo forest, the compartments 
above the waterfall have been excluded from the calculation. 
Once the bamboos are in the main stream no difficulties occur in 
floating them down to the village of Thonze or on to Rangoon. 
The question was once raised by a District Forest Officer wheth¬ 
er by floating large quantities of bamboos down this river the floating 
of the teak logs, annually exported from these forests, would not 
be interrupted. Careful enquiry was made on this point and the present 
District Forest Officer and also some of his subordinates, who have been 
working for many years in this locality, apprehend no difficulties. 
[ 200 ] 
Year. 
1905- 06 
1906- 07 
1907- 08 
1908- 09 
1909- 10 
