FOREST POLICY. 



Gum, rubber and gutta percha trees, dye woods, ylang- 

 ylang, cecoanut palms (in Romblon), etc., have been utilized 

 under Spanish rule. 



The occurrence of a pine (Pinus insularis) in a tropical cli- 

 mate is geographically interesting. 



The price of logs in Manila ranges from 6oc. to $3 (Mexi- 

 can) per cubic foot. Carabao oxen are used in log transporta- 

 tion. Lumber is hand sawed by the natives. The white ant is 

 the enemy destroying all lumber and timber used and utilized, 

 excepting three or four species. 



6. Forestry movement: A Bureau of Forestry, established 

 under G. P. Ahern, succeeded the Spanish forest administration 

 (since 1863) after American occupancy in 1898. The administra- 

 tive staff is now supplied by American foresters passing the civil 

 service examinations. 



The forestry movement centered in the bureau is, nat- 

 urally, in the direction of forest exploitation only. The botan- 

 ical and technical characteristics of the timber species are studied 

 and tested. All timber cut on public land is cut by license. For- 

 estry officials, stationed at all important logging centers, inspect, 

 stamp, classify and appraise all shipments of timber cut under 

 license. The cutting of certain species and of certain sizes of 

 trees is prohibited on public land. 



The licensee pays from ic. to I4C. (Mexican) per cubic foot 

 of timber removed from public land. 



A forestry school, after the pattern of Dehra Dun, India, 

 should be organized. 



7. Laws: The Spanish forestry laws and regulations have 

 been adopted with slight alterations a course highly com- 

 mendable. 



8. Reservations: None. 



9. Irrigation: Not applicable. 



FORESTRY CONDITIONS OF PORTO RICO: 



I. Area: The island area totals 2,304.000 acres. It is dotted 

 with many trees, park-like; but deforested as a whole, with the 

 exception of eight square miles of inaccessible primeval forest 

 on Mount El Yunque. 



85 



