MISCELLANEOUS ACTIVITIES 87 



prevent suppression. In more recent operations the brush is 

 cleared on the entire area, instead of by narrow strips or by 

 seed spots; when this is done there is less damage from mice 

 and rats and the air can circulate better, for even when the oak 

 acorn is treated the rats wait until it germinates and then re- 

 turn to devour the young cotyledon. The aleppo pine is also 

 sown in similar spots since the results of plantations were found 

 unsatisfactory. 



MISCELLANEOUS ACTIVITIES 



Research. — The North African Forest Research Station 

 was estabhshed by the Governor General's decree of Dec. 29, 

 1911. The station is under the direction of the conservator 

 for the pro\dnce of Algiers, who is also director of forests. 

 The officer in charge of the station is also charged with the 

 administration of the Algiers District, but is given a supple- 

 mentary pay of 1500 francs ($289.50). No need here is felt 

 for a complicated organization, at least until the formative 

 period is over. The field of work includes not only Algeria, 

 but Tunisia and Morocco. 



The general objectives ^^ of the research studies are to con- 

 serve and increase the forested area, to increase the revenue 

 from federal forests, and to collect and pubhsh the results. 

 With this in view a number of specific Hnes of work have 

 already been determined upon: 



I. Forest meteorology: systematic observations in the dif- 

 ferent forest regions in order to determine the climatic require- 

 ments of the different types, especially as regards humidity. 

 2. Forest soil : a study of how the different species are influenced 

 in their distribution by the various soils. 3. Reproduction: 

 how to extend forest areas by natural means and the factors 

 influencing natural and artificial regeneration. 4. Increase in 

 cork-oak production: a study of how the producing capacity 

 of cork-oak forests can be increased and the quahty improved, 

 as well as a study of diseases. 5. Management: growth of 



^ Bulletin de la Station de Recherches Forestieres du nord de I'Afrique, Dec. 

 5, 1912. 



