Forestry in German Colonies. 62^7 



This colony is to a considerable extent settled, and railroad 

 construction to open it up has progressed so that presently the 

 forest wealth will become available. Climate, labor conditions, 

 political uncertainties, besides the causes mentioned before, which 

 make forest exploitation in the tropics dubious, and limited means 

 of transportation contribute to the difficulties. Only large enter- 

 prises hold out hopes for success. 



So far, only two operators were at work, the government 

 leasing large territories to them ; but instead of charging by 

 measure, the government participates in the profits of the opera- 

 tion, if any. One of the enterprises is prima facie a railroad 

 construction with the timber exploitation as a side show ; the other 

 one has already abandoned the undertaking. 



Rubber seems to be the most profitable product, and regula- 

 tion in regard to its conservative exploitation is needful. Experi- 

 mental plantings of rubber producing plants have been inaugurat- 

 ed. Other so-called by-products, tannin, quinine, perfumeries, 

 resins and oil may also become important forest products for 

 export. 



Besides the rubber plantations, the various experimental sta- 

 tions have started a number of cinchona, teak, oil palm and other 

 plantations, details of which are given in Baderman's article. 



Dr. Jentsch's monograph discusses in great detail not only 

 the conditions but the requirements for a sane forest policy and 

 management. He cites the propositions of the late Prof. Mayr, 

 who wants, before any exploitation begins, a thorough investiga- 

 tion, a land classification and segregation of agricultural and pure 

 forestsoils, a scientific investigation of the value of woods, etc., 

 then reserving what is necessary for protective purposes and be- 

 ginning at once a real forestmanagement on strict forestry prin- 

 ciples. To this program Jentsch objects on practical grounds : — it 

 would take too much time to secure all the information, and only 

 by trials on a large scale can most of the knowledge be secured. 

 All that can and should be done in the present stage of develop- 

 ment is to utilize the utilizable values in such a manner as not to 

 destroy the future, avoiding rapine, and giving up soil for settle- 

 ment wherever the need appears; private enterprises to be en- 

 couraged in such exploitation without inducing wild speculation. 



Above all. the forest must remain State property and all reser- 



