FOREST CONDITIONS 1 7 



sale figures, from year to year, vary greatly. They have been 

 as high as 35.66 francs ($6.88) per quintal (220 pounds) at the 

 forest depot. When ready for dehvery at the ocean shipping 

 point the average price is 45 francs ($8.68) per quintal (220 

 pounds). 



From 1885 to 1908, 32,430 quintaux (7,149,583 pounds) of 

 tannin bark averaged 9.35 francs ($1.80) per quintal (220 pounds) 

 but for the last 8 years the price of the bark of the tree has 

 brought, on the average, the same figure. 



The zeen oak is used chiefly for ties, though the saplings 

 make good charcoal. The mature tree of this species reaches 

 a height of 25 to 30 metres (82 to 98 feet) and attains a diam- 

 eter of one metre (3.3 feet). It resists decay well, despite the 

 alternating dry and wet seasons, but hews badly. The timber 

 formerly brought about 5 francs ($0.96) per cu. m. (35 cu. ft.) 

 standing, but prices have risen of late to 7 and 8 francs ($1.35 

 and $1.54) per cu. m. (35 cu. ft.) and trees sold recently for 12 

 francs ($2.32) per cu. m. (35 cu. ft.) in sales at Feidja in the 

 Khroumirie. 



The aleppo pine and holm oak are species of distinctly sec- 

 ondary importance, but the pine is used for boxes, crates, mine 

 props, ties, forge charcoal, telegraph poles, firewood, and occa- 

 sionally planks or boards; it is an excellent secondary wood. 

 The holm oak is used chiefly for fuel. 



Progress in Forestry. — A Tunisian Forest Service (Directoire 

 des Forets) was created in 1883 under the Public Works; by 

 the decree of Jan. 13, 1895, the administration of the forests was 

 transferred to the Agriculture and Commerce "Direction." 



The principal revenue derived through the activities of this 

 Forest Service comes, as has been indicated, from the cork-oak 

 and, in part, the zeen-oak forests of the Khroumirie Mountains. 

 Besides administering these productive areas, the functions of 

 the service contemplate the patroUng of the other forests where 

 aleppo pine and holm oak are dominant, purely for watershed or 

 chmatic reasons, or supervising the cutting of wood for local 

 fuel or for domestic purposes, such as corral or hut poles. 

 Reforestation is undertaken in various localities notably at 



