Timbers. 



82 



[July, 1909. 



In the above table, 86 per cent, of the 

 trees are under 60 centimeters (24 inches), 

 a minimum diameter limit prescribed in 

 the cutting rules for certain forest tracts 

 where first-group woods are protected. 



With logging under the supervision of 

 a forest officer, this limit could proba- 

 bly be lowered to 30 centimeters (12 

 inches). 



As previously stated, Mancono usually 

 grows in pure stands, to the exclusion 

 of all other merchantable species. Near 

 thd upper limits of the type, however, 

 such hardwoods as Yacal (Hoped pla- 

 gata), Batete (Hardwickia altemifolia), 

 and Sudiaug (Eugenia sp.) etc., are 

 occasionally found. These species are 

 widely scattered, and of little import- 

 ance. 



On account of the steepness of the 

 slopes on which Mancono grows, litter 

 and humus are rarely present. The un- 

 derbrush is usually dense, consisting of 

 a heavy stand of seedling trees, vines, 

 and herbs. 



Reproduction is abundant in all situ- 

 ations, although the growth is slow on 

 account of the quality of the soil of the 

 locality. Surveys made on plots of 

 a hectare in area give an average stand 

 of 14 saplings, 2 5 to 10 centimeters (1 

 to 4 inches) in diameter, per plot, or 

 5,600 per hectare (2,266 per acre). The 

 actual amount of reproduction is greater 

 than indicated by these figures, as in 

 the surveys no account was taken of 

 seedlings. 



Merchantable Volume. 



From data available at the Bureau of 

 Forestry, the merchantable volumes of 

 trees of different diameters has been 

 roughly computed, and from these the 

 yield of Mancono per hectare, and per 

 acre, ascertained. These volume figures, 

 however, are based upon the clear length 

 of the bole only. Almost all trees have 

 large branches which would furnish 

 short logs or bolts of merchantable 

 value. No figures on the volume of 

 such wood have been obtained. 



The average and total yield of the 

 Mancono forest, based on a cutting dia- 

 meter of limit of 30 and 60 centimeters 

 (12 and 24 inches), is given in Tables 

 II. and III. 



Table //.—Average yield in Mancono 

 Forest. 



(Average of 4 hectares (9*88 acres.) 



Average yield por 



hectare. 

 Cubic Cubic p d 

 meters, feet 



Minimum cutting 

 diameter limit. 



30 centimeters (12 inches) 45-00 1,590 127,200 

 60 centimeters (24 inches) 33*40 1,180 94,400 



Average yield per 

 Minimum cutting acre, 

 diameter limit. Cubic Cubic D j 

 . meters, feet. Pounds - 

 30 centimeters (12 inches) 13-21 643 51,440 

 60 centimeters (24 inches) 13 52 477 38,160 

 Note. — 1 cubic foot = 80 pounds. 



Table III.— Total yield of Mancono 

 Forest 

 [2,000 hectares (4,942 acres.)] 

 Total yield. 



Minimum cutting Cubic Cubic p , 



diameter limit, meters. feet. rounds. 

 30 centimeters 



(12 inches) 90,000 3,180.000 254,400,000 



60 centimeters 



(24 inches) 66,800 2,360,000 188,800,000 



Total yield 



Minimum cutting Cubic Cubic t> j 

 diameter limit, meters. feet. rounas - 



30 centimeters 

 (12 inches) 36,420 1,286,000 102,880,000 



60 centimeters 

 (24 inches) 27,040 954,000 76,320,000 



Logging. 



Extensive logging opperations have 

 never been carried on in the Mancono 

 stands of the Philippines, The wood, 

 though prized by the natives, is rarely 

 used on account of the difficulty of 

 felling the trees. To cut a 70 centi- 

 meter (28 inch) tree, with the crude 

 axes manufactured by the Filipinos, 

 usually takes two days. To fell a tree 

 of equal diameter, with a saw, requires 

 only four hours. Diamond-point saws 

 should be used exclusively, on account 

 of the great hardness of the wood. If 

 extensive operations are undertaken, all 

 trees should be cut as close to the ground 

 as possible in order to obtain butt logs 

 of large diameter. The taper of the first 

 two meters (6J feet) of the bole is very 

 rapid. 



As Mancono grows on steep hill sides 

 along the coast, the logs can readily be 

 skidded to the shore by means of a small 

 yarding engine located on the beach, or 

 transported down a roll way or dry slide. 

 The maximum length of haul would 

 rarely exceed 200 meters (610 feet). To 

 transport logs to a steamer from the 

 beach, it would be necessary to load 

 them into large, shallow-draft scows, or 

 native " lancans " (dugouts). 



Suitable locations for camps are found 

 along the shore, or in the woods. Corru- 

 gated iron roofing may be used to ad- 

 vantage in the construction of shacks, 

 on account of the scarcity in this region 

 of the nipa palm, the leaves of which 

 are ordinarily used for thatching pur- 

 poses in the Philippines. Water, in suffi- 

 cient quantity to supply a camp, is rarely 

 found in the immediate vicinity of a 

 Mancono iorest, although never far 

 distant. 



