1 68 FORESTRY IN ITALY. 



MESSINA. 



REPORT OF CONSUL JONES. 



Under Bourbon rule in Sicily, a law was passed August 21, 1826, prescrib- 

 ing regulations for forest culture and preservation, treating of the felling of 

 timber, decortication, pasturage, &c. Laws of a similar character were in 

 force throughout the different kingdoms and duchies of Italy at that time. 



The political unification of Italy began in i860; it was only, however, in 

 1877 that legislative unification was completed. On June 20, 1877, the Italian 

 parliament passed a general forestry law. This law, together with the gen- 

 eral regulations adopted in pursuance thereof (regulations of February 10, 

 1878), are now in force throughout the kingdom. This law prescribes how 

 provincial bureaus shall be established, and also their duties. These provin- 

 cial forestry commissioners enact such rules and regulations as are best 

 adapted to their respective localities. . 



In obedience to the Department's circular I have endeavored to translate 

 the regulations of the forestry commission for the province of Messinia. 

 These regulations are of course subject to annual revision and amendment. 

 For a proper understanding of provincial forestry regulations reference must 

 be had to the general forestry law of June 20, 1877, and the regulations of 

 February 10, 1878. 



Sicily was formerly celebrated for its admirable ship-building timber, but 

 these magnificent forests have long since disappeared. Three-fourths of the 

 province of Messinia is mountainous, and these mountains now present a 

 bald and naked appearance, except in the district of Mistretta, in the north- 

 west corner of the province. Here we meet with the oaks, chestnuts, elms 

 and ashes. The evergreen oak is found near the coast and in lower situa- 

 tions ; it is generally isolated. Only a small portion of this province is in 

 forest, government property principally; I cannot give accurate figures. The 

 province employs fifty-five forestry guards at an annual expense of §5, 200, 



There is no forestry school here. To procure seeds or shoots one must 

 make a contract in advance with some peasant or small landed proprietor, as 

 there are no reliable seedsmen or nurserymen in Messina. 



Lumber is not exported from this district. In 1885 lumber (principally 

 pine) weighing 2,153,262 kilograms, valued at ^124,706, and cabinet wood 

 weighing 38,876 kilograms, valued at ^172,988, were imported into Messina. 

 The lumber comes chiefly from Trieste. The customs duties are i lira (equal 

 to 19 cents) per cubic metre on lumber that conies from countries with which 

 Italy has no treaty. 



WALLACE S. JONES, 



Consul. 



United States Consulate, 



Messina, January 26, i88y. 



