CHAPTER XXI 

 THE MANAGEMENT OF MANGROVE FOEESTS 



Science has classified the different species of man- 

 groves, but that is as far as it has as yet ventured. 

 It is only imperfectly understood what species pro- 

 vide the tanning bark of commerce, and no definite 

 principles for the exploitation and preservation of 

 forests have yet been laid down. The regula- 

 tions controlling concessions in the Province 

 stipulate that, after barking, mangroves must be 

 cut down at the junction of the roots and stem, 

 so as not to injure the roots, and that the timber 

 so cut must be removed within three months to a 

 place chosen by the administrator of the circum- 

 scription. 



This implies that red mangroves coppice, that 

 is, send up new shoots from the bole after the 

 trees have been cut down, and that if the dying or 

 dead trees are left standing young growth will be 

 obstructed. As far as I was aware, though I had 

 not particularly investigated the point, red man- 



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