HARDWOOD FORESTS OF SOUTHERN SOUTH AMERICA 251 



THE EDGE OF "THE CHACO" IN ARGENTINA. 



THIS IS AN OUTLYING VILLAGE CELEBRATING THE NATIONAL HOLIDAY (MAY 25). FROM HERE THE 

 WORKMEN SKILLED IN WOODCRAFT JOURNEY INTO THE WILDERNESS IN SEARCH OF QUEBRACHO. 



authority, few existing quebracho trees 

 will be left standing, as no provision 

 for future systematic planting is being 

 made, j There is a constant outcry in the 

 native press for the passing of improved 

 forestry laws, but as yet this very press- 

 ing matter has not obtained its share 

 of consideration from Congress. Not 

 only the quebracho, but many other 

 valuable species of trees with which 

 the vast forests of the republic abound, 

 are in danger of extinction in the not 

 very distant future as the result of 

 inadequate forestry laws. It is a matter 

 for wonder that the several foreign 

 companies having large capital invested 

 in the exploitation of the quebracho 

 have not shown systematic regard for 

 their own future interests. 



' The red quebracho furnishes a hard, 

 close-fibred wood, which is chiefly used 

 for railway sleepers and fencing posts 

 and for the extraction of the tannin, in 

 which it is very rich. Its adaptability 

 for sleepers and posts is first class. 



" In the matter of railway sleepers the 

 exports of quebracho logs has been con- 

 stantly diminishing since 1900. In a 



much less degree there has been a 

 shrinkage in the number of sleepers 

 used by the Argentine railway com- 

 panies. The chief cause of this decrease 

 is the competition of steel sleepers. As 

 to the comparative economical advan- 

 tages of these latter for use in Argentine, 

 expert opinions vary. It may be noted, 

 however, that the provision of the law 

 under which railway companies are 

 permitted to import material duty free 

 is an important factor in the rivalry 

 of steel and quebracho sleepers. Neither 

 Europe nor the United States has ever 

 imported considerable quantities of 

 sleepers from Argentina, and these over- 

 seas imports have ceased entirely since 

 1903. Uruguay and Brazil have been 

 the best customers, with a gradual 

 decline even in their trade. 



"The general increase in the exporta- 

 tion of logs is explained by the growing 

 appreciation abroad of the fine qualities 

 of the timber for fencing, building and 

 cabinet-making. It is dense and com- 

 pact of fibre and water-resisting, besides 

 which its mahogany color contributes 

 to handsome decoration and it takes a 



