Gilpin observer., 1913-05-29

animal imam Is the TEAK
try on those of the elephant.
In Java, it is true, the timber, being
smaller and the conditions different.
hand labor and implements are en-
ployed, and in parts even Of Burma
and Siam the country is sufficiently
fiat to permit the carting by buffaloes
being used as a method of extraction.
But these parts are comparatively few
and far between, and the obstacles in
the way of introducing heavy plants
into country deficient in good roads,
bridges or facilities for transport must
be at once apparent, writes corre-
spondent of the London Times. Even
without these obstacles 1t is doubtful
whether teak, being SO scattered as
it is, could ever be proftably worked
up and down steep hillsides by ma
chinery, while 1t is as certain as any
thing can be that no machinery could
ever devised to perform the part
played by elephants in the water
Apart from the enormous bodily
strength which enables it to drag. an
elephant can. with its forehead. trunk
or tusks, push and roll enormous logs
about as if they were playthings. nor
does 1t mind working in water five
feet. and even more, in depth.
Asiatic Differs From African.
The Asiatic elephant, which belongs
to an entirely different species from
the African and resembles the latter
hardly more closely than the buffalo
does the OK, is, like the teak tree, con-
fined mainly to India, Farther India
and the Malay peninsula Wild herds
are still found in Burma and Siam.
where they are carefully protected, a
special license being required to shoot
them in the former country and the
law forbidding their destruction ex-
cept in cases of necessity, or for self
defenes in the latter. Every few
years the Siamese government holds
"keddah" operations or catches at
Ayuthia, and by their agency the do
mesticated are recruited from the free
| herds
That apart from it's work, the condi-
tions under which the elephant is to
live in captivity should as closely as
| possible resemble those of its wild
state will naturally be the owners
first care. 1t is a purely herbivorous
animal, and thrives we'll on the ordi-
nary Jungle plants and creepers, the
juicy "kaing" grass. young bamboo
shoots and wild plantain being among
its favorite foods. In Siam. it is
hardly ever stall fed. as it is in India /;
in the neighborhood of town or vii.
lage, when It has to be tied up. food
must. of course. be brought to 1t. But
as a general rule, the animal is sim
ply turned out int othe Jungle to find
its food for itself, the forefeet being
hobbled to prevent its straying too far
Among its primary requisites are
shade and abundance Of water. Given
these and good grazing an elephant
has a fair chance OF keeping it's con
dition throughout the seven months
which constitute its working season.
The latter begins, as already stated
in June. From that time onward. the
animals daily and weekly routine IL
something as follows: Directly 1t IL
daylight the rider leaves his camp
goes out to track his charge. which
despite his hobbled condition. will
often succeed in straying a distance
OF several miles: bathes him all over
in the creek-this is one of the mosi
important of the mahout's duties-ant
brings him to the scene Of the days
work. Operations begin at seven a
m, or a little before, and go on til
Il. by which time the power OF the
sun generally renders 1t imprudent to
continue further. For 1t must be re
membered that the elephant is natur
ally q nocturnal animal and extremely
liable to sunstroke On the compile
ton of their days work the animals
are brought to camp, divested of theii
gear. hobbled and turned out into tn,
Jungle. Toward evening the riders
pay them another visit to make sur,
that their charges have not slipped
their hobbies, as they occasionally
manage to do, or been walked off b,
gang OF thieves. who till lately In
tested some parts OF Siam. and ever
now are not unknown. The elephant.
are inspected by the foreman II
charge OF tho camp bathed and lef