ITALY. 



THE ORGANIZATION OF A COMMUNAL DOMAIN IN SICILY. 

 THE BOSCO SANTO PIETRO OF CAETAGIRONE. 



The importance of the communal domains of the South of Italy are well 

 known, and on the organization and economic value of one of them, the Bosco 

 Santo Pietro of Caltagirone, we are in a position to furnish the following 

 information, reproduced from the report of the technical manager of this 

 domain, Dr. Gaspare B arietta. 



There is no aim constantly pursued in the management of communal 

 forests; abuses are committed by the managers and the population, the neigh- 

 bouring landowners make encroachments, the forests are subdivided, public 

 customary rights are enforced ; and the state of these forests is generally 

 bad and, in most cases, the yield from them is rather small. The condition 

 of the public forest of Santo Pietro is somewhat of an exception. It is worth 

 pointing out, especially as important works for the regulation and im- 

 provement of the forest are now in course and researches are being made 

 in regard to the proper utiUsation of the produce. 



This forest, which belongs to the Commune of Caltagirone, was a part of 

 the ancient Barony of Fetanasimo, that the Norman King, Roger II, be- 

 stowed on the inhabitants of Caltagirone in 1143, as a reward for their 

 valour and loyalty. By decree of July 20th., 191 1, the prefect of Catania 

 declared the former fief a domain of the Commune of Caltagirone and 

 ordered that 1,300 hectares should be divided in lots and distributed among 

 the poorer inhabitants of the commune. 



At that date a work of organization and improvement of the portion left 

 undivided was commenced. This portion covers an area of 3,330 has. and 

 consists principally of a forest of cork trees, the largest and most product- 

 ive in Italy. 



First of all the forest was divided into eight parts and each of these sub- 

 divided into eight parcels. So there are 64 parcels, separated by fire belts 

 10 metres in breadth, or by roads or water courses. 



This division makes it possible to prevent the spread of fires, and it has 

 also served and still serves to make it easier to take stock of the trees, to 

 arrange for the cuttings to be made, the improvements to be carried 

 out, and the cultivation to be proceded with, as well as to simplify the 

 work of supervision. 



