Current Literature. 423 



their best development on the slopes of the foothills and lower 

 mountains. Here they form a distinct forest type. This is char- 

 acterized by large tall growing trees, chiefly belonging to the 

 family Dipterocarpaceae, and by an undergrowth less dense than 

 is found in other types. The maximum diameter is about 5 feet, 

 and the clear length ranges from 65 to 115 feet. The dipterocarp 

 forests will be the chief source of timber supply of the island. 



The solid commercial forest unbroken by clearings is estimated 

 at 818,000 acres with a stand of 5,755,300,000 feet of board 

 measure of merchantable timber (7,000 feet per acre), and the 

 commercial forest broken by clearings is estimated at 262,000 

 acres with 400,000,000 ft. B. M. (1,500 ft. per acre). The heav- 

 iest stands average 20,000 ft. B. M. per acre. 



Steam logging with railroad transportation is recommended 

 as the only feasible way of exploiting the larger part of the for- 

 est. Few species are adapted for driving because of their specific 

 gravity and hauling is too slow and expensive with the primitive 

 methods now in use. Under the present system the cost of log- 

 ging and delivery from the forests to the beach, a distance of one 

 or two miles, ranges from $4.35 to $9.00 per 1,000 ft. B. M. 



Shipping facilities to the Manila market are inadequate and 

 rates are between 10 cents and 15 cents per cubic foot. 



Four small saw mills operate at different points on the island, 

 but they are too light for satisfactory work and most of the 

 lumber used locally is cut by hand with whip saws. 



The subject of forest protection is discussed briefly. The 

 chief damage the forest suffers is from clearings made by the 

 mountain tribes who denude and cultivate small areas for one or 

 two seasons and then abandon the plot. In some parts of the 

 island all the merchantable timber has been destroyed in this 

 manner. The solution of this problem is a serious one in many 

 parts of the Philippine Archipelago, as it is a practice that can 

 be regulated with difficulty because of the irresponsible character 

 of the natives with whom the forest officers must deal. Fires fol- 

 low up these clearings and kill any reproduction that may have 

 started. A patrol for the prevention of fire is considered too ex- 

 pensive under present conditions and no recommendations are 

 made for forest protection except rules which prevent waste in 

 logging and injury to young growth. 



The forest map appended to the report shows in colors the 



