Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1901-02-14
FORESTS IN PHILIPPINES
New American Possessions Rich
In Rare Timber.
MILLIONS OF ACRES WOODED OVER

49, -
port by IN Agent of the Forestry
Division of Department of Agricul-
ture-Great Variety of Rubber and
Gutta Percha Trees.
The forestry division Of the agricul-
tural department has received from an
agent in the Philippines highly in
teresting report on the woods Of that
archipelago, which, it is understood,
will soon be issued as a bulletin, says
the Washington Star. The agent states
that from various sources Of informa-
ton he was led to believe that the
public forest lands comprise from one
fourth to possibly one-half Of the area
of the Philippine Islands-that is, from
100000 to 100000 acres. There
are fully 100000 acres Of virgin for
est owned by the government in the
islands of Mindoro and Paragua. The
island of NIindanao, with an area Of
more than 100000 acres, is almost
entirely covered with timber and has
but small percentage of cultivated
land In the province Of Cagayan, on
the island of Luzon, there are more
than 100000 acres of forest. In the
places just mentioned the cuttings up
to the present date have been very
small
In many other provinces in the island
Of Luzon, especially in the country
close to Manila, much timber has been
cut, and to fill large contracts the lum-
bermen are obliged to go quite dis
lance from that city in order to find a
suitable tract.
In a recent visit to the southern
group the agent was impressed with
the amount of timber standing on the
smaller islands. Frequently the to-
Biography was such that it could be
exploited with facility. There We're
tracts Of virgin forests where from
10000 to 10000 cubic feet of magnif-
cent timber per acre were standing
trees more than $50 feet in height and
with trunks clear Of branches to so
feet and more than four feet in di-
ameter. There are many millions Of
cubic feet of timber in these forests
that should be cut in order to properly
thin out the dense growth.
The report further states: There are
1856 tree species mentioned in the pres
ent forestry regulations, and we know
Of so more growing in these islands,
and each week we learn of still other
species. 1t is safe to state that the
number OF tree species found in these
islands will be nearer 500 than $50, a
great majority Of these undoubtedly
hard woods. The edges of the great
forests have been scarcely cut away,
and so valuable hard woods have been
given to the world, the full value of
ed as yet.
There is a great variety Of valuable
gum rubber and gutta percha trees, but
the trade has been ruined by the Chi
nese in their efforts at adulteration
and other fraudulent practices. We
have a list of II dyewoods, the reve-
nue. from which if properly exploited
should pay the cost Of the forestry
service. A book has been written by
Tavera on the medicinal qualities Of
the native plants, many trees being
mentioned as possessing valuable me-
dicinal qualities.
THE ylang ylang tree abounds here.
it's blossoms producing an oil which Is
the base of many renowned perfumes.
Quite revenue is gained by those
owning the trees. The west slope of
the island of Romblon is mass Of CO.
coanut palms from the waters edge to
the mountain top, every tree bringing
in a yearly revenue of from 81 to 50,
and when it is realized that 400 and
even 800 such trees may be grown on
an acre one is struck with the wisdom
| of that former commander Of Romblon
who insisted upon such extensive
| planting Of these trees. In all parts of
| the southern islands these trees seem
| to grow without any effort or care.
There are no forest roads or drive
| ways in these islands that are worth
mentioning. 1t will be impossible to
| exploit these forests until roads are
| constructed. rivers improved and har-
| borS provided. The methods at present
are exceedingly slow and expensive.
| The tree is felled far from any road
| anu Is lduleu OUT very SLOWLY ny one
or more caribaos, many tracts being
left untouched, due to the difficulty Of
the land and the lack Of roads. The
natives are not skilled lumbermen and,
While paid a small wage, are by no
means cheap labor when we consider
the cost of telling and hauling a cubic
foot of timber to the shipping point.
There will be some difficulty in the
construction of roads in such places as
Cagayan, Mindoro and Paragua, but
these difficulties can be overcome
Stone is plentiful and available. but
labor is scarce. and such as we have is
poor and uncertain. This latter will be
the one great difficulty When that is
solved. engineers and money will make
the Philippine forests yield a revenue
that is undreamed of today by the resi-
dents of these islands,"
In conclusion the report says: Prom
the above it is evident that there is a
very large area of very valuable public