THE PHILIPPINE FORESTRY SERVICE. 



SOME NOTES ON THE LIFE AND WORK OF 

 AMERICAN FORESTERS IN THE FAR EAST. 



BY 



W. KLEMME, FORESTER. 



THE personnel of the Forestry Bu- 

 reau has been decidedly aug- 

 mented during the past two years, and 

 at present numbers over two hundred 

 men, who receive an annual remunera- 

 tion of about $219,000, Philippine cur- 

 rency. 



Of the employees in the provinces, 

 the greater number are Filipinos. The< 

 whole force possesses but six educated 

 foresters, and the need of Americans, 

 as well as natives, who have a practical 

 knowledge of this profession is at all 

 times pressing. It is not meant by this 

 a superficial preparation, nor even a 

 personal attraction for the life, but one 

 based upon serious application and prac- 

 tical knowledge of sound methods. 



As regards remuneration, foresters 

 receive, on appointment, $100 (gold) 

 per month, subject to gradual increase, 

 on proof of efficiency, to $200 (gold) 

 per month. Since they spend the major 

 part of the time in the field, where the 

 bulk of expense is borne by the Bureau, 

 they are enabled to save money, pro- 

 viding, of course, that the necessary dis- 

 position to do so exists. In the city of 

 Manila prices are exorbitant, but one 

 can live there quite comfortably for $100 

 (gold) a month. 



The intention of remaining in the 

 service several years should exist. Con- 

 ditions in the archipelago are so differ- 

 ent from those in more temperate climes 

 that even a forester with valuable expe- 

 rience has much to learn, and it goes 

 without saying that his resignation at a 

 time when his services have become 

 valuable to the Bureau cannot meet its 

 approbation. 



CLIMATIC CONDITIONS. 



The life of a forester in these islands 

 is one of infinite variety, much educa- 

 tional experience, and large possibili- 



ties. The hardships and inconveniences 

 are those incident to exposure to the 

 elements and life in an undeveloped 

 country. Among them may be men- 

 tioned isolation, infrequency of mail 

 service, and the number of the dialects 

 spoken by the natives, for each prov- 

 ince has its own language. 



During the rainy season, which ex- 

 tends from June to November, there is a 

 steady and at times disheartening down- 



HAGACHAC TRKE, 115 FEET IN CLEAR 

 LENGTH.* 



* Hagadhad (Dipterocarpus sp.} ? 

 (158)' 



