Departmental Collection of <I>Kullu</I> Gum (<I>Sterculia urens</I>) in Damoh Division

Abstract

As a result of defective tapping resulting In a large number of trees being killed and of poor financial results, it was considered necessary to replace the lease system by departmental collection in January 1935, in the year 1934-35, 297 maunds of gum was collected for Rs. 1.316, This quantity was sold for Rs. 3,165, giving a net profit of Rs. 1,849. In the year 1935-36, 1,604 maunds of kullu gum was collected for Rs. 5,113 which was sold for Rs. 11,868, giving a profit of Rs. 6,755. The cost of collection is- Rs. 5 to Rs. 6-4-0 per maund for white; Rs. 3-12-0 per maund for red: Rs. 2-8-0 per maund for blank. The cost of carting comes to 1½ ples per mile per mound for kochcha track and 1 ple per mile per maund for pucco road. The cost of grading comes to 2 annas 9 pies per rnsund. It has now been found that the only grading required is to separate black gum from the white and red. The most suitable dimensions of outs are 6 inches by 18 inches but this requires further investigation. The average yield per tree comes to one seer per year.