92 AGRICULTURAL EXPLORATIONS IN ALGERIA. 



Between 3,500 and 6,000 feet, the liandsome Zen oak {Quercus 

 lusitanica var.) forms heavy forests of good-sized trees, usually 50 to 

 70 feet high. In one looalit}' Zen oak covers an area of 103,000 

 acres. 



Finally, at elevations of 4,000 to 6,000 feet, occur magnificent for- 

 ests of Atlas cedar, a short-leaved variety of the cedar of Lebanon. 

 The total area occupied by this tree approximates 90,000 acres. It 

 usually forms an open forest, the trees being separated b}^ expanses 

 of gj'ass land and low brush. Unfortunately, this superli tree shows 

 ver}' little tendency to reproduce itself. The Atlas cedar lives to a 

 very great age. Individual trees of unusual size, distinguished, like 

 some of the "big trees" of the Sierra Nevada, b}^ particular names, 

 are made the goals of pilgrimages by tourists. 



Besides the species already enumerated, the following are note- 

 worthy, either for their abundance or their economic value: Ash* 

 {Fraxinus Txcihylica)^ arbor vitfe {CaUitris quadrivalms)^ juniper 

 {Juniperus oxycedrux and -/. pho'ntcea)^ and fir {Ahles nuiiiidlai). 

 The chestnut, almond, cherr}', fig, and caroh are all represented in 

 the mountains of Algeria by wild forms. 



P^specially in the large valleys of the coast region, such as the Habra. 

 Chelifi', and Mitidja, the planting of trees to furnish timber for con- 

 struction and firewood, as well as for shade and protection against 

 winds, has been extensively practiced. Species of Eucalyptus, nota- 

 bly E. gJolndm (blue gum) and E. rostrata (red gum), ai'e most used. 

 The latter has proved to be the better adapted to Algerian conditions, 

 and is now rapidly replacing the blue gum. Eamhiptus rohustus and, 

 to a lesser degree, E. occidtntalis are said to be the species that suc- 

 ceed best in saline soils. The colonists began in 1860 to plant Euca- 

 lyptus in large numbei's, but when it became apparent that the value 

 of the wood for building purposes had been overestimated, these trees 

 somewhat declined in favor. Nowadays, however, their utility in 

 other respects is generally appreciated. 



A large part of the forest land of Algeria, including vast areas cov- 

 ered with brush and grasses, as well as much true forest, is owned by 

 the government. A code of forest laws modeled upon those of France 

 governs their administration. The penalties against starting forest 

 fires are very severe, but are difhcult to enforce, because of the moun- 

 tainous character of much of the country, the frequent absence of 

 facilities for travel, and the active or passive opposition of the Arab 

 population, which is largely devoted to raising live stock. It has been 

 necessary to open much of the public domain to flocks owned by the 

 natives. Although regulations have been established which, if strictly 

 enforced, would prevent serious damage from this cause, as a matter of 

 fact the forests often suflier severelv. But in some areas, where it has 



