DISPOSAL OF PRODUCE 75 



departmental exploitation of cork. For example, during a 

 typical year, the conservator at Constantine collected 95,289 

 quintaux (21,001,695 pounds) of cork, worth gross 3,274,425.50 

 francs ($631,964), at a cost of 534,800 francs ($103,216) a profit 

 to the government 2 to 4 times as great as under the lease or 

 sale system. In addition the silvicultural needs of the forest 

 are more nearly met. Especially where the term is for long 

 periods lessors, in the contract system, have almost invariably 

 failed to live up to the terms of the agreement. 



The decree 31 (giving the details for the exploitation, transport, 

 sale, and exportation of cork under present conditions) is mainly 

 designed to prevent theft, and it would seem as if under its 

 provisions it would be practically impossible for successful 

 thieving to be practiced on any great scale. Even owners who 

 wish to collect bark must furnish at least a month in advance, 

 to the proper local official (usually the mayor), the name and 

 location of the stand, the period for collection, the number of 

 trees, and the approximate number of pounds of bark to be 

 collected. This provides opportunity for the state to verify 

 ownership before exploitation. Moreover, the bark cannot be 

 transported without a permit giving the name and residence 

 of the transporter, the number of pounds, and the quality. 

 These permits are temporary and personal and must be pro- 

 duced whenever required by the proper official. Similarly, no 

 sale or export can take place without an inspection of the orig- 

 inal certificates showing ownership and origin. All shipments 

 must be described according to the following classifications: 

 (a) Raw cork; (b) Baled cork; (c) Manufactured cork; (d) 

 Waste cork (baled fragments); (e) Crude bark (first peeling 

 unsuitable for ordinary corks). 



The regulations 32 regarding the exploitation, transport, sale, 

 and exportation of tan bark, charcoal, wood, wood ashes, resin 

 products, and sticks for canes are similar to the restrictions 

 placed on cork commerce, and are also designed to prevent 

 theft by making it obligatory on the temporary owner of the 



31 August 20, 1904. 



32 Refer also to the Algerian Code, p. 166. 



