REPORT OF FORESTRY BUREAU, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. 53 



the fce of bamboo rafts, or placing alternate logs of light specific 

 gravty between heavy ones. 



Oithe logging road the only animal available for transportation in 

 thesdslands is the carabao, an animal of but moderate strength who 

 readiy succumbs to overwork or disease. A plague of rinderpest has 

 carrid off thousands of these animals during the past two years, leav- 

 ing mny communities in a most helpless condition. 



Thre are no appliances in the island suitable for handling large and 

 heav}logs, and if such appliances should be secured, skilled white 

 labor nust be employed until the native can be properly trained to 

 their se. 



May of the natives are good workmen, quick and clever, and in 

 time ^ill be able to do much of the skilled work that for the next few 

 years nust be done by white men. The great mass of the natives, 

 especidly those living near large forest tracts, seem disinclined to con- 

 stant rid heavy labor and can not be depended upon to remain any 

 lengthof time at their work. Much depends on the kind of treatment 

 receivd from the employer; the wage paid does not seem of as much 

 imporance to the natives as consideration for their whims. The aver- 

 age lalorer while in the woods can be counted on to cut and square 

 from ito 8 cubic feet a day. 



It wll take a couple of years to make even a few good roads and 

 improve the driveways, install appliances for handling large logs and 

 teach tie natives how to use them, and then if the native is found will- 

 ing to vork, lumber companies might be able to get out what they 

 consider a paying quantity of timber. 



Thei when they are ready 'to extract this timber, the regulations 

 throw iround them many restrictions which will prevent any wholesale 

 devastition. 



The greatest safeguard is found in that article of the regulations 

 which provides that the felling of any tree species of the superior or 

 first g:oup (35 leading woods) of less diameter than 40 centimeters 

 (15f irches) is absolutely prohibited. Regulations provide that the 

 timberto be felled be first selected; provide also that only certain of 

 the lov-grade woods can be cut by those holding gratuitous licenses 

 and those cutting firewood for the market. 



Regulations prohibit the felling of the gutta-percha, rubber, and 

 other ;rees producing valuable gums. They also provide that when 

 the tress are felled and piled notice must be sent to the nearest forestry 

 official which official shall measure, appraise, and see that the govern- 

 ment valuation is paid on this timber before it is removed. 



Whei this timber reaches the market it is again inspected by an 

 official who. carefully revises the classification of the first official, meas- 

 ures each log a second time, and sees that the government is paid its 

 full value for its timber. Each log receives a bureau stamp as soon as 

 it leaves the forest. 



The forestry official is strictly charged to supervise the work of the 

 logger to see that only the proper trees are felled and that the timber 

 is so hauled through the forest as to cause the least damage to the 

 3^ounger growth. He reports at once any violation of the forestry 

 regalations. 



The regulations provide the forestry officials with the power to fine, 

 and to stop the movement of forest products to the market, if any of 

 its provisions are violated. 



