2. Baobab.—

This was referred to in my Report for 1876 as a desirable subject for experimental cultivation in India. Dr. King now reports very unfavourably of its prospects:

"Such plants as enjoy the shade of a large tree in the neighbourhood of the plantation continue to look very fairly healthy, but those that stand in the open look very sickly. . . . Considering, moreover, the comparatively slow growth of the species (a tree of 20 years old grown in the open girths about 3½ feet at the base, and is about 15 feet high), I am driven to the conclusion that Baobab is not likely to afford in India a sufficiently cheap paper fibre."

This seems conclusive. I am informed, however, that the Baobab coppices well, sending up numerous shoots of 10 to 12 feet in a year. It is suggested, therefore, that if the trees once get to a fair size they might be coppiced annually, after the manner of osiers. But, of course, if Bamboo succeeds it is not worth while expending any trouble on Baobab.