192 



C. SKOTTSBERG 



profit derived from the export of wool was about ^/g of the income from fishing, the 

 number of sheep 3000. Finallj% some mutton was sold to Cia Oto Hnos, apparently 

 the only fishing enterprise in operation (comp., however, p. 187). With regard to the 

 lobster Graf Marin was told that it breeds the year round whence follows that the 

 fears later expressed by Guzman would seem groundless and a closed season - — after 

 1 93 I 1/6 — 30/9 — unnecessary. 



Although Graf Marin recognizes the fishing industry as the main source of wealth 

 he revives the old dream of Masatierra as a future rich farming country, and his plans 

 were drawn up without regard to the fact that Masatierra forms part of a National 

 Park, protected by a law which, nevertheless, he does mention in passing. He recommends 

 to import farmers from the region of Concepcion, where the climate is similar. As 

 the soil, save for the houses and gardens, is fiscal property, anybody is entitled to 

 supply himself with wood in the forest — only maqui is used for fuel, however. The 

 forest should be subject to economic management by multiplying the few good timber- 

 trees and by introducing new ones; the Mediterranean cork-oak is particularly recom- 

 mended beside Acacia melanoxylon and Finns radiata. Of the endemic trees two are 

 {or rather were) of commercial value, the chonta palm and the sandalo; the former — 

 and also the latter, if it could be rediscovered — ought to be propagated in nurseries 

 and planted on a grand scale. He tells us that the last living sandal tree seen by 

 Johow in 1892 and by me in 1908 was ordered by the Subdelegado Vera in 191 8 

 or 19 to be cut down — but in 191 6 I was assured by the same man who brought 

 me to the tree in 1908 that it had died and the wood been taken care of. I have 

 no reason whatsoever to doubt the correctness of his statement. 



With regard to the black pest Antennaria (Limacinia) Graf Marin shares my 

 opinion that Johow exaggerated its dangerousness. A more serious enemy of the luma 

 is an insect, Saissetia oleae, and he recommends the introduction, successfully arranged 

 for on the mainland by himself, of its parasites. 



Even if various fruits can be produced in sufficient quantity to be exported — 

 the water-supply is good and the streams might be canalized and used for irrigation — 

 raising live stock should constitute the main occupation of the farmers, but it is 

 jeopardized by the spread of the zarzaparilla [Acaena argentea) and of the zarzamora 

 {Rubus ulmifolius). They ought to be exterminated, which is just as desirable from 

 the naturalist's viewpoint, but much easier said than done. In order to improve the 

 pasture alfalfa and new and more nutritious foreign grasses should be introduced. Above 

 all, to stimulate general utilization of the land and to prevent that a single thrifty 

 person take possession of most of it, the island ought to be parcelled and the size 

 of the lots fixed with regard to their rentability. The total value of Masatierra, settle- 

 ments not included, is said to be 220000 pesos, of Masafuera 120000 (considerably 

 more to-day that 10 years ago). From a scientific and scenic viewpoint the value of 

 these islands cannot be expressed in figures — it is inestimable. If the plan set forth 

 in Graf Marin's interesting report materializes, Juan Fernandez will stand as a unique 

 example of a National Park, the home of a unique fauna and flora, offered for sale. 



