FORESTRY. 93 



been possible to prevent grazing- during longer or shorter periods, 

 considerable reforestation has taken place. 



Forest land belonging to the government, particularly such as bears 

 a growth of cork oak or of alfa, is often leased for a nominal rental to 

 companies or to individuals who exploit these products. Some of 

 the most valuable forested areas are the private property either of 

 Europeans or of natives. 



FOREST PRODUCTS. 



Following the loose application of the term "forest" that prevails 

 in Algeria, there will be discussed under this head commercial products 

 that are furnished not only by trees, but also by the grass known as alfa, 

 and b}' the dwarf palm. As a justitication for this arrangement, it 

 should be stated that both of these plants occupy extensive areas which 

 are officially designated as forest land, and that neither of them is ever 

 cultivated. 



FUEL. 



Most of the trees — and man\' of the shrubs — native in Algeria 

 supply the inha))itants with firewood and with charcoal, which, as in 

 all Mediterranean countries, is nuich used for fuel. The expense of 

 clearing land is often partly met by the sale of the firewood and 

 charcoal obtained in the process. In some of the large valleys of the 

 coast region, where there is little natural tree growth, plantations of 

 eucalj^ptus are useful as a source of fuel. 



TIMBER. 



Most of the wood for construction used in Algeria is imported from 

 northern Europe and from Austria, the natural resources of the colony 

 in this respect having been little developed. Probably- this is partly 

 due to the scarcit}' of w^ater and the consequent absence of large perennial 

 streams, which render difficult and expensive the transportation of 

 logs from the mountains. Artificial plantations have been of little 

 value as a source of building timber, eucalyptus wood particulai'ly 

 being deficient in durabilitv. 



Some of the native timber trees promise well, and may some day 

 come into extensive use. Live oak {Quercus haUota) and Zen oak {Q. 

 lusitanlca)i\xvms\\?ix\ exceedingly hardwood that is somewhat difficult 

 to work. Wood of the Zen oak is particularly valuable for making 

 brandy casks. The extremely durable wood of the Atlas cedar is 

 excellent for railway ties, and is sometimes used in cabinetmaking, 

 its pleasant odor enhancing its value for the latter purpose. Long 

 immersion in water renders it almost indestructible. Arbor vita^ has 

 a beautifully colored wood, variegated with numerous knots, and is 

 highl}' esteemed b}' cabinetmakers. 



