FORESTRY IN THE AMERICAN TROPICS 475 



Foresters have collected data relating to fifty or more forest trees of the North 

 for many years, but of the three hundred or more forest trees of the tropics 

 practically nothing is known except their names and the names only imper- 

 fectly known. 



For the bulk of our timber supply we must depend on private commercial 

 enterprise, but as yet, in the major portion of our country, the return, consid- 

 ering the risks, is not sufficient to tempt capital. A paltry return of five per cent 

 or ten per cent does not satisfy the common run of investors ; in fact, a return 

 of twenty-five per cent or more is what is expected and what many tropical 

 ventures yield. 



I have always worked on the theory that for forestry one should select 

 regions where there are the largest number of growing days, other things 

 being equal. We should also select those species which grow with the greatest 

 rapidity, provided they yield good wood. I know of no forestry proposition, 

 for instance, that would yield a larger return than growing eucalyptus in 

 Pinar del Rio for tobacco poles. The growing of fuel wood, or even tobacco 

 poles, however, does not appeal to me from a forestry standpoint. I would 

 prefer to grow a wood which yields lumber fit for constructive purposes. 



As to location many of our best regions, such as rich inland valleys in the 

 tropics, are inaccessible. In South Florida and the West Indies, however, 

 there are vast areas within comparatively easy access of the markets of the 

 world. 



In the matter of forestry, the political lines separating one country from 

 another, cut a small figure. 



Every forester, in fact every person interested in forestry, should plant 

 a few acres of trees and care for them properly. It is easy to talk about 

 and easy to write about, and I am sorry to say that too few foresters actually 

 own forest land. There is nothing like bringing a proposition home for close 

 and careful inspection. 



Of the quick growing trees of the world yielding timber of the highest 

 class, is the great order Meliaccae. It is to this order that mahogany belongs 

 and, although much of it is not mahogany from a botanical standpoint, it sells 

 as well, and sometimes better, than the wood of Hwietcnia, the true mahogany. 

 The trees to which I refer either belong to the genus Cedrela or are closely 

 allied to it. There is Cedrela fissiles of Brazil and Paraguay called Acajou; 

 C. Toona, the toon or red cedar of the East Indies and Australia and Cedrela 

 odorata. the Cigar Box Cedar of the West Indies. The latter seems to exist 

 in three distinct varieties, at least commercially, cedro bianco, cedro heinhra 

 Colorado and cedro macho. Cedro macho or even cedro hembra Colorado 

 sell under the name of mahogany. The.se trees grow quickly, on soils of 

 almost any nature, and so far I have succeeded in reproducing them from 

 cuttings. I have a Cedrela in my yard which has grown from a cutting at 

 the rate of more than two feet per month. The cutting was put in the ground 

 in March and the accompanying photo of this tree was taken during the 

 latter part of September. It is therefore only six months old from the time 

 the cutting was stuck in the ground. The cutting was not much larger than 

 a lead pencil. Of course, the cool weather will check its growth and some- 

 thing may happen to it, but if it continues to grow at this rate it will soon 

 afford ample shade and many cuttings for further plantings. Fashion may 

 change, since it was not long ago that they were trying to grow crooked oak for 

 the British navy; but these woods of the mahogany group have stood the 

 test of time and have always brought a high price irrespective of the price 

 of other woods. 



