FORESTRY OF JAPAN. 21 



moisture, it is used to be highly valued as the material for build- 

 ing ships. With recent years, the demand of it as the material 

 for camphor, has been rapidly increased which fact stimulated 

 the people to form the forests of this species and there is 

 every possibility that in future the area of these forests will be 

 considerably increased. 



Tsuge {Buxus scmipcrvirens L. var. Japonica MnelL Arg.). 

 This is ever-green species, of which the largest measures 50 

 centimetres in diameter and 15 metres in height. It is not 

 particularly large in size but being hard in its nature and uniform 

 in tissues, the annual rings are hardly distinguishable. Heart 

 wood being pretty and lustrous is prized as the material for 

 fine sculpture. As the material for valuable utensils and rulers, 

 this wood is highly prized. It is grown in the provinces of 

 Kyushu, Kii, and Izu, being particularly thrives in such 

 State forests as Kabaru, and Kosho-san of Kyushu, and in the 

 private forests as those are found in islands of Mikura and Miake 

 in Izu. This tree finds its congenial soil for growth in a lime- 

 stone soil, the forests being formed either by seedlings or cuttings. 



Ichii-gashi {Quercus gilva BL) y Shira-gashi {Quercus Vibra- 

 yeana Fr. ct Sav.), and Aka-gashi {Quercus acuta Thunb.), Of 

 all the broad-leaved trees, these three varieties are most 

 extensively utilized, and as the handles of agricultural imple- 

 ments, rolling stocks, and rudders of boats they are to be most 

 valuable. The largest of Ichii-gashi ( Quercus gilva Bl. ) is 55 

 centimetres in diameter and 30 metres in height, bole measur- 

 ing 15 metres. It has been specially valued from ancient 

 times as supplying the best material for the handle of a spear 

 .and its felling was prohibited under the rigorous command of 



