330 FORESTKY IN THE CROWN COLONIES. 



quality in the low lands not far from the sea, where it takes a 

 dark colour. A somewhat similar colouring is produced in the 

 lower parts of the valleys. A lighter coloured variety is produced 

 on the slopes of the valleys. The next important species is Cedar 

 {Cedrela odorata) which grows to a large size and yields a valuable 

 timber, especially for cigar boxes and construction. Logwood 

 {HcBmatoxylon Campeachianiim), a valuable dye wood, grows in 

 swampy parts along the sea and near rivers. A prominent feature 

 is the presence of a Pine {Pinus cubensis ?) on the pine ridge, 

 where it and the Pimento Palm are the dominating trees, though 

 the former is said to give way in some parts to an oak {Quercus 

 virens ?). There is a variety of other hardwoods, but the infor- 

 mation regarding them is so uncertain that it is not worth 

 recording it here. 



3. Relationship of the State to the Forests. 



There is no Forest Department in the colony, and the Governor 

 has suppMed the following information : — 



Somewhat more than one-half of the area of the colony belongs 

 to the State, so that nearly one-half seems to have been alienated, 

 but it is not stated who the private proprietors are. The pine 

 ridge area is given as 2,660 square miles, the cohune ridge, or the 

 mahogany, cedar and forest area generally, is stated to comprise 

 3,300 square miles, the land under agriculture and pasturage as 

 40 square miles, and the rest as swamp, lagoons and waste land. 

 It is not stated what proportion of the forest land is State property. 

 It is, however, understood that large areas of forest have passed 

 into the hands of companies ; one of these has quite lately engaged 

 a scientifically trained and experienced Forest Officer. 



4. Exports and Imports. 



Cubic feet. 



Exports, Mahogany . . 735,333 



Exports, Cedar ' . . . 51,372 



Total Exports . 

 Imports, Lumber . 



Excess of Exports 



786,705 

 120,584 



666,121 



