LIST OF AVENUE TREES.

1. Ficus Indica. Banyan tree. Ala-maram, Tam. Marri, Tel. Bur, But, Beng.

The banyan is the largest, and probably the most shady, of all avenue trees.

2. Ficus religiosa. Poplar-leaved fig-tree. Arasa-maram, Tam. Rávi, Rági, Tel. Pipul, Hind. Ashwuth, Beng.

A large and handsome tree, of common occurrence near pagodas, houses, and other buildings.

3. Ficus Tsiela. Jóvi or Pedda Jóvi, Tel.

A large and handsome tree, generally planted by road sides for shade; not sending down roots from the branches, is preferable to either Ficus Indica (banyan tree), or F. Benjamina, the pendulous roots of which are dangerous impediments on a road.

4. Ficus nitida. Chinese banyan tree.

A handsome tree. Native of China.

5. Guatteria longifolia. Mast tree. Deodaru, Tam. Asóka chettu, Tel.

A highly ornamental tree, which might be planted in avenues more than at present.

6. Tamarindus Indica. Tamarind tree. Pulia-maram, Tam. Chinta chettu, Tel. Tinturi, Amli, Hind.

This tree is one of the largest in India, with an umbrageous head.

7. Casuarina muricata. Casuarina tree or Tinian pine. This tree forms pretty avenues, especially in narrow roads. 8. Casuarina equisitifolia.

A tree similar to the above.

9. Bignonia suberosa. Indian cork tree.

A good tree for planting in avenues.
white and very fragrant.

The flowers are pure

Fig. 9, from Du Breuil, cours d'Arboriculture, illustrates the manner in which avenue-trees are protected in the Boulevards of Paris. In France, the branches of Prunus spinosa are usually employed for this purpose.

10. Parkia biglandulosa.

This large and elegant tree was introduced into India from Africa. It is one of the best trees for avenues, but requires care and regular watering.

11. Poinciana Regia. Royal Poinciana tree. Flamboyante. This tree does not attain a great size; but it is very showy, and should be planted in mixed avenues.

12. Adenanthera pavonina. Red-wood tree.

A large and handsome tree, and is well suited for avenues. 13. Azadirachta Indica. Neem tree.

Nim, Beng.

Vépa-maram, Tam.

A good avenue tree, but the foliage is deciduous.

14. Sterculia fœtida. Foetid sterculia. Pínáta or Pínári-maram, Tam. Gurapa bádam chettu, Tel. Junglí badam, Beng.

This is a large tree, only objectionable from the foetor of the flowers, and the falling of the leaves.

15. Bombax Malabaricum. Red cotton tree. Mullu Elavumaram, Tam. Búraga chettu, Tel. Rukta simul, Hind.

This tree attains a great size, leaves deciduous.

16. Thespesia populnea. Portia tree. Púrsa or Púvarasa, Tam. Gangarávi, Tel. Poresh, Beng.

This is the principal tree in the Madras avenues, and is valuable from its easy growth, and from the large amount of annual cuttings. It prefers the sea air and saline soil. 17. Acacia speciosa. Kátuvági, Tam. Dirisana, Tel. Sirissa, Beng.

A large and handsome tree, of rapid growth.

15. The above are the best avenue trees in Madras. There are many others suitable for the same purpose, where mere ornament is the object in view. Some of the palm tribe may be occasionally used.

R. BROWN, Supt.

HEDGES.

These are susceptible of great improvement. There is a universal prevalence of spiny shrubs and prickly bushes throughout India. They are a continual source of annoyance to the barefooted pilgrim, and a frequent cause of admission into hospital. The absence of proper fences all over the country is one of the chief impediments to the progress of agriculture. It is only in the neighbourhood of large towns, around upland villages, in military cantonments, or near the dwellings of European residents, that we find any serviceable enclosures. This does not arise from any want of material; in this respect, indeed, the Flora is peculiarly rich; and in dealing with this our difficulty lies in selection for particular localities. The strong close hedges which are occasionally met with around more valuable crops, such as betel-vine and sugar-cane, show what can be done, and prove satisfactorily that this department of agriculture is susceptible of very considerable improvement. The losses sustained by the ryot from the inroads of cattle and wild animals, and other causes, due to the absence of these fences, is enormous.

In confirmation of the foregoing views as to the deficiency of fences, and the consequent injury to agricultural produce, we may quote a single extract from Dr Buchanan's Report on the District of Purneah-(Montgomery Martin's History, vol. iii., p. 279):-"I nowhere saw round the same field a hedge and a good ditch; nor did I ever see a hedge that was a good fence. The want of fences is a great evil, and the cattle commit uncommon depredations. A large proportion of them belong to the pure castes, who in this district enjoy high privileges, and are uncommonly insolent to the vulgar. Their cattle trespass with much impunity, and the poor of course retaliate, as far as they dare

by stealth, so that the community is a great sufferer. The people who tend the cattle seem to be sent rather with a view to prevent them from straying, than to keep them from destroying the crops; at least, I saw many instances of most culpable neglect." It is remarked, in "Colebrooke's Husbandry of Bengal," that "the old laws of the Hindus gave redress for the trespasses of cattle in enclosed fields, but not in unfenced lands, unless the transgressions were wilful on the part of the herdsman, or of the owner. Unfortunately these laws seem to be now obsolete."

Again, in reference to the Experimental Cotton Farm at Gorakpúr, Mr Reade, then collector, affirmed, that "the pest of this place is countless cattle, whose pertinacity and agility in overcoming fences is proportionate to their cupidity of Mr Blount's cotton plants."-House of Commons Return.-Indian Cotton Cultivation.

These remarks were written regarding two districts of the Bengal Presidency; but they are so descriptive of parts of S. India, that they have been introduced here. We have witnessed serious depredations from sacred buffaloes, which, owned by no master (though attached to particular temples), pasture where they may, unchecked in their trespasses, till they attain the age for sacrifice.

Indigenous to S. India, we have of Acacia* and Mimosa (about 30 species):-Zizyphus (4 sp.), Carissa (several sp.), besides Toddalia aculeata (Pers) and Pterolobium lacerans (R.Br.), Azima tetracantha (Lam.), Scutia Indica, (L.), and a host of other armed plants, more or less widely diffused: these often grow interlaced in thickets, or surround the clumps of jungle like a fringe, presenting a chevaux de frise, which is almost impassable, especially when a dense tangled underwood has followed a forest conflagration. With such abundant materials at hand, it is somewhat remarkable that advantage has not been taken of this provision of nature. The few hedges observed by travellers

* One of the most remarkable is, Acacia latronum (W.), common in the barren tracts, armed with large stipulary thorns, united at the base. Linnæus designated it, "Frutex horridissimus, ramosissimus;" it is well entitled to this distinction. It is known amongst Europeans as the "Robber Thorn," from relieving the cotton bullocks of their load as they pass through the jungle.

generally consist of Opuntia Dillenii (Haw.), Agave Americana (L.), Euphorbia tirucalli (L.), and E. antiquorum (L.) It is a curious fact, that the two first of these are not indigenous, but have been introduced from America, and the third was probably imported from Africa. Here and there we see other plants employed for the purpose, as Jatropha curcas and Adhatoda vasica, which being thin-growing and unarmed shrubs, can scarcely be said to make a fence.

This important subject has engaged the attention of the Government, as well as of railway and irrigation companies. It is consequently one of increasing interest, affecting not only the appearance of the country and private interests, but the expenditure of public bodies, and of the country at large.

Extracts of correspondence bearing on this subject are annexed.

Letter to Government.

MADRAS, 19th September 1856.

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of E. M. C., 18th July 1856, No. 1211, regarding the planting of trees and hedges along the irrigation channels of this presidency. The subject is of great importance, and there is no part of rural economy more neglected in this country. It is one to which, some years ago, I devoted much time and attention,* and, as a full consideration of the various points involved would occupy considerable space, I cannot do better than place my MSS. at the disposal of Government, and limit myself at present to a few general and practical remarks.

The selection of trees and hedge plants for anything approaching to extensive planting must depend on the soil and other peculiarities of each locality. It is impossible for me at Madras to predicate what will answer in every district, but the local officers may safely be guided by observing what trees, &c., naturally succeed best within their ranges. The Casuarina at Madras is a valuable tree; but it would be absurd to plant it extensively in the red soil at Bellary. The Inga dulcis forms a neat and

*Vide Ann. Nat. Hist., Oct. 1850.