MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS 



525 



Europe, the small Indian traders commenced to apply 

 themselves to this industry, employing- natives for the 

 stripping-. To meet this growing demand unorganized 

 stripping has been carried on, and various problems 

 have presented themselves. Does the stripping of the 

 bark kill the tree ? If so, what is the method to avoid 

 destruction ? Or would it be preferable to allow the tree 

 to die, and rely on its natural reproduction from its 

 roots ? Is it desirable to establish definite periods 

 during which stripping is to be prohibited? These 

 questions have not yet been settled, and require many 

 years of patient study. In order to prevent destruction 

 various administrative measures have been tried, such 

 as payment of license tax, imposition of export duties 

 and even prohibition of stripping and consequently of 

 exportation during certain periods. 



The decrease in the exports, statistics of which are 

 given below, is the result not of a decrease in the 

 demand, but of the endeavours made to prevent destruc- 

 tion of the trees. 



Year 

 1907 

 1908 

 1909 

 1910 

 I9II 

 1912 



Kilos 



6,522,232 

 748,606 

 580,725 



135.955 

 172,695 

 211,179 



Various timbers occur which are made use of by the 

 natives for planks, rafters, beams, and small works of 

 joinery. Of these, mention may be made of mogano 

 (mahogany), pau preto (black wood), pau ferro (iron 

 wood), and sandal wood. Some samples of these have 

 been sent to Lisbon, and the statistics mention a certain 

 exportation to Europe and Egypt, principally of black 

 timber. All observers agree in saying that there is an 

 abundance of these valuable woods. The Company has 

 even received some proposals for its exploitation on a 

 large scale, and for the use of these trees as railway 

 sleepers. Up to the present, no concession in this 

 respect has been granted, but everything proves that 

 when the problem of transport has been solved the 

 exploitation of the forests will be the object of exten- 

 sive and profitable application of capital and activity. 



