*.)() AGRICULTURAL EXPLORATIONS IN ALGERIA. 



Three principul nices of native sheep are distinguished in Algeria — 

 the Kabyle, or Ber))er, which is peculiar to the mountain region; the 

 Barbar3',a large-tailed race, which is most common in eastei'n Algeria; 

 and, best of the three, the Arab, which is rapidly supplanting the 

 others. The Arab race is that which is usually found in the large val- 

 leys and plains of the coast region and also in the high plateau region. 

 The small, slender tail is a distinguishing mark of this race. The head 

 is sometimes brown or black and sometimes white, the white-headed 

 type being the finest of Algerian sheep. The short, dense, more or 

 less curly, rather line fleece of the Arab sheep is in marked contrast to 

 the long, straight, coarse wool, resembling goat hair, with which the 

 Kabyle sheep is covered. The best quality of wool is produced in the 

 larger valleys of the coast region. 



The colonists formerly purchased from the natives nearly all the 

 sheep they fattened. There is a growing tendency, however, to raise 

 sheep on the farms of the coast region. Sheep that are bred where 

 they are fattened are found to give when onl}' 14 months old from 6^ 

 to 9 pounds more meat than !2i-3"ear-old sheep that have been pur- 

 chased from native shepherds. 



The white-headed Arab type of Algerian sheep shows an approach 

 to the Merino. Crossing with the latter race is found to give a supe- 

 rior animal, which produces not only more meat, but wool that is bet- 

 ter in quality and about 50 per cent greater in quantity. Careful 

 selection among the mixed native races can also be counted upon to 

 enhance greatly the value of the meat and wool produced b}^ Algerian 

 flocks. 



GOATS. 



The natives usually pasture goats together with sheep and cattle? 

 but this is .from every point of view a bad practice. Except for their 

 large milk production, goats are not held in much esteem among the 

 European colonists. To the natives, however, their skins, hair, and 

 meat are invaluable. The fact that they can pick up a living in places 

 where cattle or even sheep can not obtain sufficient food is a strong point 

 in their favor. Two races occur in Algeria — the Kabyle goat, with 

 long hair and horns, and the hornless Arab race, which gives more 

 milk. 



FORESTRY. 

 GENERAL CONDITIONS. 



According to official estimates there are about 8,000,000 acres of 

 forest land in Algeria, of which about 60 percent belongs to the coast 

 region, or Tell. The term "forest land" is used, however, in its 

 widest sense, land bearing a shrubby growth of lentisk, dwarf oak, 

 olive, myrtle, dwarf palm, etc., such as occupies vast expanses in the 

 coast region, being included. The steppes of the high plateau region, 



