12 EEPORT OF FORESTKY BUREAU, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. 



classified into six groups, the unit of measure being the cubic foot. 

 The price per cubic foot for state timber is as follows : 



Number 

 of varieties. 



Superior group, 14 cents Mexican 15 



First group, 10 cents Mexican 20 



Second group, 8 cents Mexican 86 



Third group, 3 cents Mexican 133 



Fourth group, 2 cents Mexican 234 



. Fifth group, 1 cent Mexican 33 



At present the timber is classified and measured after it has been 

 felled and piled. In appraising the valuation of timber hewn on four 

 sides, 25 per cent is added for wood lost in hewing; sawed timber has 

 15 per cent added; ebony has 200 per cent added, and camagon 100 per 

 cent added. , The wood of groups 3, 4, and 5 only will be cut for fuel, 

 thus saving from felling for this purpose 121 tree species of higher 

 grades. This restriction is noted on back of license. In the Spanish 

 regulations the tree species were arranged in five groups, with a max- 

 imum valuation of 6 cents per cubic foot. The present regulations 

 set aside fifteen of the most valuable woods as a superior group and 

 place a valuation on them of 14 cents per cubic foot; this price acts 

 as a special protection for these valuable species and tends to divert 

 the lumbermen to other varieties at a lower rate. Some objection 

 was raised to the increased valuation placed on forest products, but 

 it has been found that the above valuation remains very close to 5 per 

 cent of the present market price of timber in Manila. 



Chapter 2 is entitled "Utilization of timber in the state forests," 

 prescribes how timber should be felled and moved, and the procedure 

 necessaiy before the licensee can take his product to market. 



Chapter 3 has to do with the gratuitous use of state timber. It pro- 

 vides for the free use of timber by needy residents, and for timber for 

 public works. 



Chapter 4 is entitled " Firewood for market." 



Chapter 5 contains provisions relating to the extraction of gutta- 

 percha and other gums. 



Chapter 6, general provisions. 



LICENSES. 



Licenses are issued by the officer in charge of the forestry service 

 upon written application made either to the central office in Manila or 

 to any of the forestry officials in the provinces. If application is made 

 in the provinces, the forestry official sends the application to his imme- 

 diate chief, with some recommendation as to the character and respon- 

 sibility of the applicant. The indorsement also must approve or 

 disapprove the application, with the reasons therefor. An applicant 

 must state just what forest product he wishes to take from the public 

 land, and must also specify the district where he wishes to operate. 

 Under Spanish administration this district was usually a province. As 

 a rule, during the last six months we have been confining lincenses to 

 a more limited area and close to some pueblo. By this means we know 

 at once where to place the responsibility for any violation of the for- 

 estry regulations, as to manner of felling and removing of forest prod- 

 ucts. Where a number of licensees are operating in one province it is 

 difficult at times to know just where to place the responsibility for any 

 infractions, as noted above. 



