FOREST POLICY. 



2. Physiography: The climate is tropical. The south is 

 drier than the north. The mountains (volcanic) are continuously 

 bathed in moisture. 



.1. Distribution: The mountain tree flora is composed of 

 a large number of species, including palms and tree ferns, none 

 of commercial importance. 



The coastal forest is said to be often chaparal-like. 



Fruit trees (orange, lime, lemon, banana) are common all 

 over the island. 



The coffee plantations often appear as dense forest 

 thickets. 



4. Forest ownership: No information available. The fed- 

 eral government owns but little land. 



5. Use of timber: Fruit trees are most valuable. There 

 is not one saw mill in the island. Natives drag logs cut and 

 roughly squared to the nearest oxe-trail. Logs are often whip- 

 sawed into planks or boards. About $300,000 worth of timber 

 and timber products are annually exported. 



6. Forestry movement: None. Avenues of shade trees 

 frame the Spanish highways. Reforestation of denuded slopes 

 seems advisable. 



7. Laws: No information available. 



8. Reservations: The Luquillo forest reserve, in the east- 

 ern part of the island, was established on January 17, 1903. 



9. Irrigation: For the cultivation of the staple crops of 

 the south coast, irrigation is practiced with great skill and at 

 considerable expense. 



FORESTRY CONDITIONS OF RHODE ISLAND: 



1. Area: Area of woodlands, 400 square miles or 40% of 

 the State. 



2. Physiography: Flat and sandy. Maritime climate. 



3. Distribution: Originally all the island was covered with 

 forest. Now, coppice of chestnut, oak, hickory, ash and birch, 

 with some stray white and pitch pine, are found to form a meager 

 second growth. Trees along the coast are stunted and scarce. 



4. Forest ownership: 13 lumber firms own 1,673 acres. 

 Balance of woodland is attached to farms. 



86 



