July, 1909.] 



Timbers. 



Labour. 



To carry on extensive logging oper- 

 ations in the Maneono stands of Surigao 

 and Agusan Provinces, it would be neces- 

 sary to import; workmen from the near- 

 by Visayan Islands, on account of the 

 scarcity of local labour. Foreman, ac- 

 quainted with the woods and the location 

 of the heaviest stands of timber, could 

 probably be obtained from Dinagat, 

 Surigao, and various other coast towns. 

 The daily wage would vary from P0'75 

 for ordinary labourers, to PI '50 for ex- 

 pert axmen or sawyers, Gangbosses are 

 usually paid P50 per month, and the 

 head cook in large camps P40. In addi- 

 tion to the above wages it is necessary 

 to provide food for all labourers. The 

 average cost of feeding the men is about 

 P0'16 per day. The necessary American 

 foremen, etc., should be secured in the 

 United States. 



Filipinos, when given fair treatment, 

 make fairly steady and permanent work- 

 men. They are quick to learn how to 

 handle machinery, and work well in the 

 woods. With patience and a knowledge 

 of local customs : excellent results may 

 be obtained. 



Cost op Logging. 

 7 able IV— gives the estiaiated cost. 



PER CUBIC FOOT, OF CU1TING AND 

 TRANSPORTING MANCONO TO 

 NEW YORK. 



Estimated 



cost. 



Cost of felling and hauling to 



beach ... ... P. O il 



Loading on shipboard ... 04 



Government stumpage ... 07 



Freight to New York via Suez 40 



Incidental expenses ... 16 



Total ... *-80 



* POSOpor cubic foot of 80 pounds or $10, 

 United States currency per ton, 

 Note. — P2 = $l, United States currency. 



Transportation, 



Any company undertaking to market 

 Maneono on a large scale should make 

 definite arrangements for the transport- 

 ation of all timber direct from the 

 southern islands of the Philippines to 

 New York. To tranship logs at Manila 

 would add materially to the cost. 



There are a number of good auchorages 

 for large boats near the various forests 

 to be logged, or if necessary, a central 



timber depot could be established at 

 Surigao, and all logs brought to this 

 point and loaded directly into the 

 steamer from a dock. 



From November to March, inclusive, it 

 would be impossible to carry on loading 

 operations along the Pacific coast of 

 Mindanao and adjacent islands, on 

 account of the north-east monsoon ; a 

 similar condition prevails along the west 

 coast of the Surigao Peninsula, and ot 

 Dinagat Island, from about July 15 to 

 October 15, at which time the south- 

 west monsoon is blowing. The port of 

 Surigao is, however, open throughout 

 the year. 



Tests of Mancono. 



Maneono is the hardest and heaviest 

 of Philippine woods. It is practically 

 impervious to decay, and is not subject 

 to the attack of anay (white ants), or 

 the sea worm (teredo). Posts, 40 years 

 old, examined in the town of Dinagat, 

 Province of Surigao, were found to be 

 decayed only to the depth of 1 centi- 

 meter (0'4 inch), and that only in the 

 sapwood at the point where the post 

 entered the ground. Piles which had 

 been in salt water at Surigao for several 

 years, were found untouched by the 

 teredo, although ordinary hardwoods 

 are readily destroyed. 



The only official tests of Mancono to 

 date was made at the United States 

 Naval Station, Cavite, P. I. The wood 

 was installed, on side grain, as a bearing 

 for journals rotating in salt water, in 

 the stem bushing of a small launch 

 which was in constant use. At the end 

 of seven months the bearing was split 

 out for examination. The wood was 

 found to be but little worn, and was 

 reported by the commander of the naval 

 station to be " quite the equal of Lignum 

 vitse, when both are used for bearings 

 on side grain." 



In the manufacture of rollers, pulleys, 

 toolhandles, bowling balls, tempins, 

 bearings, etc., it is believed that Mancono 

 can be used profitably. The supply, 

 though limited, can, by methods of con- 

 servative logging, be made to last for an 

 indefinite period. Not only is this 

 species found in merchantable sizes and 

 quantity, but it can be cheaply exploited. 

 As a substitute for Lignum vitse, it is 

 at least worthy of a trial by all hardwood 

 manufacturers. 



The Bureau of Foresty will furnish, on 

 application and without charge, samples 

 of this wood. Requests for samples 

 should state form and dimensions 

 desired. 



