Kiln drying schedules were developed
at the Forest Research Institute, Chittagong
for drying 3.2 cm planks of mixed hardwood
species (Ali et al 1970, Ali et al
1980). These schedules were based on five
specific gravity classes of timber employing
linear dependancy of moisture loss on
moisture content and kiln temperature.
These facilitate the seasoning of a group
of species having similar specific gravity
range in a single charge. Experimental as
well as commercial kiln drying was carried
out using these schedules covering almost
the entire range of the specific gravity of
timbers. This schedule has provided a
convenient method for efficient kiln drying of

With the increase of human population
and multiple use of Cane, the natural
stands of Cane species are being used up
rapidly. The faster rate of conversion of
forest land for agriculture and the accessibility
of human beings to further forested
areas throughout the tropical forests have
destroyed the natural growth of this resource
to a great extent. Reforestation with
Some selected timber species in the high
forests also causes it to diminish further. Artificial regeneration of this valuable
resource in the young plantations of different
timber species and also in village groves
can be considered as an effective step
in conserving and replenishing the stock
of this most affected resource, and at the
same time to increase the opportunity cost

Garjan (Dipterocarpus turbinatus Gaertn.
f.) is a lofty evergreen tree, attaining a
height of about 46 m and a girth of about
5 m, with a long clean cylindrical bole and
an elevated crown (Troup 1921). It is
indigenous to Bangladesh and is also
distributed throughout the greater part of
Indo-Malayan region (Troup 1921, Gamble
1922). In Bangladeshi Garjan occurs in
the gregarious type secondary Garjan
forests of Chittagong and Chittagong Hill
Tracts, bordering the Lushai and Khasia
Hills of Assam and North Arakan of Burma
(Champion at al 1965, Das 1980). In the
natural habitat of Garjan, temperature
varies from 4O.55°C to 15.55°C and the
rainfall varies from 152 cm to over 508
cm (Troup 1921, Gamble 1922, Lu 1972).

Trials on introduction of tropical Pines
have been undertaken in Bangladesh with
a view to building up a source of
longfibred pulp. Pinus caribaea, P. oocarpa
elliottii have been experimentally
over the last 15-20 years at
the Bangladesh Forest Research Institute
Campus. Needle cost is a general term used to
describe diseases in which needles are shed
from diseased trees. Specific needle cast
differs with respect to age of needles

Seeds of Ipil-Ipil imported from the Philippines were experimentally
tried at Charaljani (Tangail) and Keochia (Chittagong) to compare
the growth performance of the cultivars.

Survival percentages of the three cultivars, K8, K27 and K67 at
Charaljani were 96, 94 and 93 respectively, whereas at Keochia they were
89, 75 and 80 respectively. Height growth at Charaljani was almost
double that at Keochia. The height growth after 140 days at Charaljani
was 63.5 cm, 35.5 cm and 38 cm for K8, K27 and K67
respectively. The above-ground biomass (green weight basis) in 9
month old trees was 11.34 Kg for K8, 9.97 Kg for K27 and 9.0 Kg. for
K67 at Charaljani. These figures were better than those at Keochia.
The plots at Keochia were, therefore, abandoned later.

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

Rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis Muel-
Arg. is indigenous to Brazil. It yields latex
which is commercially the most important
source of natural rubber (NR). It was
first introduced in Bangladesh in the year
1970 in tea gardens. The commercial
introduction of this species was done by
Bangladesh Forest Industries Development
Corporation (BFIDC) in 1962. Since then
an area of 5512 ha in eight different estates
of Chittagong and Sylhet has been covered
with rubber plantation, mostly on unproductive
waste land and scrub forest land.
It has been decided to raise 24280 ha of
plantation to achieve self-sufficiency in
rubber in the country. Of this 19187 ha
would be raised in the public sector and
the rest private participation
(Amin 1977, Hussein 1982).

Sal seeds generally mature between the
months of April and May. It may vary
according to location. The seeds fall as
soon as they mature. The germination of
seed starts soon after maturity and it may
germinate even on the tree (Troup 1921).
When germination starts, the tip (apex)
of the fruits splits longitudinally (at right
angle to the pedicel of the seed) and the
radicle emerges from the apex of the seed.
Germination percentage is influenced
by various factors. Cockburn and Wong
(1969) stated that germination percentage
of Sal depended on the size of seed trees
and collection of seeds from the tree rather
than from ground. Troup (1921) reported
that sound fresh seed had a high germinative
capacity. Sal seed, however, rapidly
loses its viability. Depth of sowing is
also an important factor in germination.
Cayford and Waldron (1969) found
that germination depended on sowing
methods and depth of sowing. Defective
sowing of Sal seed in nursery in India
had led to low germination percentage
(Singh et al. 1975). The present investigation
was, thus, undertaken to determine the
effect of sowing orientation of seed on
germination.

Thailand is located
20°2’N latitudes and
longitudes. Amongst its 72 provinces 17 are
used for commercial rubber {Hevea brasiliensis
Muell) plantings. These plantations
are in the southern and eastern regions
between 5° 7′ and
98° and 105°E of the country. In recent years some
experimental plantations have also been raised
in the northern pait. About 1.6 million
hectares of rubber plantations have been raised
so far out of its total area of 51.4 million
hectares (Lim Pholoh 1984, pers. comm.)