24 



are used to keep up the forest growth as areas are cut over. The 

 large increase of the net returns shows how effectively this system of 

 management is working. 



JAPAN". 



Japan has nearly 58,000,000 acres, or 59 per cent of its total area, 

 under forests. The State owns nearly 33,000,000 acres (56.8 per 

 cent) ; the Crown nearly 5,250,000 (9.1 per cent) ; municipalities 

 over 4,250,000 (7.5 per cent) ; shrines and temples nearly 500,000 (0.7 

 per cent), and private owners nearly 15,000,000 (25.9 per cent). 

 Although more timber is imported than is exported, Japan exports 

 nearly $1,250,000 worth of wood and $4,250,000 worth of matches. 

 The net revenue from the State forests has risen 16 per cent in the 

 past twenty years, and is now $8,000,000 a year. 



Under the old feudal system of Japan the forests were for centuries 

 reserved and cared for, and a continuous policy was assured. In 

 fact, Japanese forests have been managed longer than any of those 

 of Europe. The}^ were controlled before the birth of Christ, and 

 during the early Christian centuries forest planting on watersheds 

 to prevent floods was enforced by frequent edicts, and the felling of 

 trees was supervised by officers of the provinces. As a result, Japan 

 alone among the nations began modern industrial progress with its 

 forests not only unimpaired but improved after centuries of use. 



When, in 1868, the feudal Government of the Shoguns passed away 

 and the Mikado was restored to power, the old restrictions were re- 

 moved and the forest was over-used wherever it was within easy reach 

 of the market. Ten years later public-spirited men demanded the 

 reservation and administration of national forests. By 1882 a first 

 draft of forest laws was prepared by officers who had been trained as 

 foresters in Germany, and, after preliminary legislation, the general 

 forest law of 1897 resulted. Under this law the State and Crown 

 forests are administered and the cutting of private, municipal, and 

 religious forests is regulated. A part of the expenses of administra- 

 tion is paid out of a special fund secured by the sale of certain small 

 State forests which it is not desired to retain. These sales return 

 about $1,000,000 a year, which is spent in forest improvement work, 

 including surveys, planting, and the preparation of working plans. 

 The State forests of Japan produce about 2,000,000,000 cubic feet a 

 year. 



There are two classes of forest, called " reserve " and " available " 

 forests. The first are guarded from reckless felling which would ex- 

 pose the soil to injury. The second are intended to be developed to 

 their fullest capacity as a source of wealth for the country. 



During the past twenty-five years 200,000 acres of forest have been 

 planted at an average cost of a little less than $9 per acre. 



[Cir. 140] 



