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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 6

Mahogany Cultivation in Old World.—

Mahogany Cultivation in Old World.—

This may now be regarded as an accepted success. The tree grows well in many parts of India and in Ceylon, and in the former page 23 there is a local demand for the wood. In this country new uses are found for it, one of the most recent being for the linings and panellings of railway carriages instead of teak, which is now exclusively used for ship-building. It is not easy to see any valid arguments against the cultivation of a tree the timber of which is of admitted excellence for a variety of purposes and the growth of which is apparently attended with little difficulty. As late as 1876 the Government of Bengal was adverse to mahogany planting. This policy has now, however, been modified, and in his report for 1878-1879 Dr. Brandis, the Inspector-General of Forests, reports:—" Of the exotic trees which are cultivated by way of experiment, mahogany is the most important, and its success seems not improbable, though it is too early yet to form final conelusions upon the subject. Mahogany is also cultivated as an experiment in Burma and the Chittagong district of Bengal. The tree is known to thrive well near Calcutta, and every effort should be made to cultivate it in those forest districts where climate and other circumstances are favourable.

Bombay, Southern Division.—

Col. Peyton reports:—"A small parcel of seed was received from the Superintendent of the Botanical Gardens. It was not understood how to treat them, and only 18 germinated. They were put out at Yellápur, and are now splendid specimens, varying from 1 foot 8 inches to 4 feet 7½ inches. Subsequently another parcel of seed was received. They are now understood, and are germinating famously. They require much watering, good air and light, and a light covering only of earth."

Burma.—

Lt.-Col. H. P. Hawkes, Honorary Superintendent of the Government Gardens at Rangoon, reports:—" The mahogany experiment has been an unqualified success. The seeds were sown on the 7th September 1878. When the plants were exactly a year old three of them were measured, and found to be 8 feet 3 inches, 7 feet 5 inches, and 6 feet 1 inch in height respectively, with a girth of from 3? to 3? inches, a rate of growth which, as far as my experience goes, is altogether unprecedented, even in the case of indigenous trees. In addition to this rapid growth, the maliogany tree appears to be very hardy, and promises to bear with impunity the extremes of heat and moisture characteristic of the Burmese climate. Of the hast 112 plants raised from seed! not one has failed. We have a large number planted out, and they seem to thrive in the poorest soil where it is difficult to keep other plantsalive. "

"I believe that this tree has a great future before it. The Forest Department now plant teak almost exclusively, and there is no other tree which can altogether take its place, especially in those situations where structures made of it are liable to the attacks of white ants. But there are many purposes for which a light handsome wood is required; this want would be met by the mahogany, and there would doubtless be a considerable demand for export"

Major Seaton reports:—" In the Tenasserim Circle, the four mahogany trees planned out in 1875, near a monastery at the foot of the Toungwine range, near Moulmein, continue to thrive, the maximum and minimum heights of the trees being 17 fee; and 7 feet respectively."

Queensland.—

A supply of seed of Honduras maho any has been sent from India to tie Acclimatisation Society, Brisbne, which has page 24 distributed a portion to the Botanic Gardens of Bowen, Rockhampton, and Maryborough.

Saharunpore.—

Mr. Duthie reports:—" The tree appears to thrive well in these gardens. There are some fine large specimens about 60 years old, one of which measures 8 feet 9 inches in girth at 4 feet from the ground. The tree flowers regularly every year, but as yet no seed has been produced."

Singapore.—

Mr. J. Fisher writes to me:—"The mahogany raised from the seed sent me some 11 years ago looks very healthy indeed, and is now about 50 feet in height."