Silk Cotton tree (Ceiba ‘ pentandr a
Gaertn.) is a fast-growing deciduous species
of family Batnbacaceae, growing to a height
of 25 m to 30 m with a diameter of 1.5 m
to 1.8 m. It occurs mainly in the tropics,
where it is a component of secondary
forest. The tree has been introduced from
Burma to the Southern part of Chittagong.
In the villages of Chittagong, it is often
planted for its fruit. The fruit gives
silk cotton (floss) which is the true ‘Kapok’
of commerce. This floss is superior in
quality than that obtained from the fruit
of Simul (Bombax Spp.) (Gamble 1972).
Being elastic, the floss is mostly used for
filling and stuffing cushions, pillows,
mattresses and saddles. As it is light
and impervious to water, the floss
is eminently suitable for use in life

A series of charges of twenty timber species were dried employing
solar drying as well as the conventional air drying and steam heated
kiln drying methods. Solar and air drying were continued for
three years during the entire drying seasons. The results suggest
that the climatic conditions of Bangladesh are suitable for operating
greenhouse type solar kilns throughout the year. Even refractory
timbers of higher dimensions can be dried during the rainy season
to a desired lower moisture content. The quality of the solar dried
timber is found to be superior to both air and kiln dried timber.
Solar drying is significantly more efficient than air drying. It is a
simpler and less expensive drying technique than kiln drying. It is
recommended that the solar drying technique be employed in wood
based industries for effectve utilization of Bangladeshi timber.

No definite cutting age is maintained for extraction of bamboo
for pulp and paper industries in Bangladesh. In this study an attempt
has been made to find out the optimum cutting cycle for muli bamboo
(Melocanna baccifera} from the point of view of pulp yield and quality.
The results show that bleachable grade of pulp is obtained at a lower
cooking time with younger bamboos (9 months old) than those of higher
age groups. The pulp yield at a given point of delignification is the
highest w’th 21 months old bamboos- Physical strengh properties of
the pulp are independent of age. Thus, it seems that 21 months old
muli bamboo is better for pulping.

Butterflies of the families Satyridac and Acracidac, collected from
different forest areas of Bangladesh, have been identified. In Satyridac, there
are ten species belonging to six genera. These include : Mycalesis mystes, M.
persons, M. sp., Elymnias hypermnestra, Melanitis leda, Orsotrioena medus,
Erebia nirniala, E. narasingha, Ypthima chcnui and Y. philomela. In
Acracidac, there is only one species, viz. Acraca violae. A taxonomic key has
been developed for distinguishing the families, genera and species. The
locality of collection of each species in different forest areas and its importance
to forestry in Bangladesh have been noted.

The paper critically discusses the methods so far developed for
determining the best rotations (years from planting to final cutting)
for forest plantations in order to help professional forestry personnel
to determine the appropriate growing periods for Bangladeshi forest stands.
It is observed that most rotation models which are in use place
a lot of emphasis on the needs of wood producers. The needs of
the industries and other users generally receive less attention, Recent
developments abroad have attempted to rectify this situation. It should
be borne in mind, however, that no single method can be considered
to meet all our needs even for public investment purposes. We are
suggesting means to select the models consistent with maximum
economic growth resulting from income and employment effects on
the nation as a whole. The analysis also presents techniques to decide
the time of the final cutting decision at the end of the predicted
rotation in view of specific changes in the economic ‘climate and
other conditions.

Seven bamboo clumps, locally known as Baijjya
bansh, (‘Batnbtisa vulgaris Schrad.) flowered
in the village Faridarpara near Bardarhat area
of Chittagong town. Flowering started during
February, 1979 in all these clumps. Out of the
seven clumps, five flowered completely and
died within 18 months. The remaining two
clumps were found to be part-flowering in
nature and were still in healthy and green
condition, even after three years of flowering.
Flowering which started during February, in
both the part – and the complete-flowering
clumps continued till August-September
with a pause from October to January.
Flushes during flowering period were not
purely continuous but it alternated with short
interflushing gaps of 5 to 12 days.

A large number of small dimension
round Teak becomes available every year
through thinning operations of Teak
plantations in Chittagong and Chittagong
Hill Tracts (Anon. 1979). In recent times the
principal uses of such thinnings have been
their uses as pole, fence-post and house post. Teak pole and post are often used
under conditions favouring rapid decay.
The heartwood of Teak is durable but the
sapwood is highly susceptible to attack by
borer, termite and fungus. In outdoor uses
and in contact with ground Teak sapwood
perishes in a year or two. Teak poles,

An experiment was designed to observe
the effect of tending treatments on the
growth and development of Teak (Tec tana,
grandis L.) saplings in Andermanik forest,
Chittagong, in 1978. It was noticed that
great variations existed among the plants
after five months of planting. Close
examinations suggested that the variability was
related to the size of Teak stumps planted.
This variability had a marked effect on
survival and early development of the
plants.