APPENDIX H.

REPORT OF THE ACTING CHIEF OF THE FORESTRY BUREAU TO THE CIVIL GOVERNOR FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1901.

Hon. WILLIAM H. TAFT,

FORESTRY BUREAU, Manila, P. I., August 10, 1901.

Civil Governor of the Philippine Islands, Manila, P. I.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following as the annual report of the forestry bureau for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1901:

In making this report I have availed myself to a great extent of a report made May 16, 1901, to the military governor by Capt. George P. Ahern, who, up to that time, was in charge of this bureau.

The forestry bureau was organized by Captain Ahern pursuant to General Orders 50, Office United States Military Governor in the Philippines, Manila, P. I., April 14, 1900. A report detailing operations of this bureau up to and including June 30, 1900, was submitted August 15, 1900.

PERSONNEL.

Shortly after the organization notices were sent to the former forestry officials to make application for service in the bureau if they so desired, realizing the fact that foresters acquainted with the country, forest botany, people, language, and former regulations would be more useful in beginning this work than any officials obtained from other countries. A number of these former officials presented themselves with their credentials, which consisted of diplomas from the Agricultural College of Manila, and a detailed history of their services in the forestry corps.

As the organization of the bureau became more complete the field of its operations extended, and, as the service required it, authority has been received from time to time to increase the force of employees. The following are the positions now authorized:

After the 1st of July it is expected the civil Commission will provide the positions of chief and assistant chief, and do away with the detail of an officer in charge.

Of these, the positions of 2 foresters, the 4 inspectors, and 8 firstclass rangers have not yet been filled. So far we have been unable to fill those higher vacancies owing to our inability to get men having the required technical knowledge. The lower positions are being filled as fast as men pass the civil-service examination.

Under Spanish administration a force of 66 expert foresters and 64 rangers, with 40 other subordinates as clerks, draftsmen, etc., formed the personnel of the forestry service.

As competent men presented themselves and as conditions permitted, stations were established in the provinces. The following stations have been established: Aparri, Cagayan; San Fernando, Pampanga; Iloilo, Panay; San Fernando, Union; Legaspi, Albay; Subig, Zambales; Guinayangan, Tayabas; Orani, Bataan; Tarlac, Tarlac; Arayat, Pampanga; Angeles, Pampanga; Aringay, Union; Laoag, Ilocos Norte; Pasacao, Camarines Sur; Lingayen, Pangasinan; Alcala, Cagayan; Calumpit, Bulacan; Lucena, Tayabas; Mariveles, Bataan; Tacloban, Leyte; San Pedro Macati, Rizal; Malabon, Rizal; Batangas, Batangas.

We expect this coming month to organize forestry offices in Occidental and Oriental Negros, Southern Mindanao, and the Sulu Group. Of the force now employed 8 are Americans, 4 are Spanish, and the remainder native Filipinos.

Great difficulty has been experienced in securing competent officials. Some technical knowledge is absolutely necessary, as more than 160 varieties of native trees are received in the Manila market. This timber must be classified, measured, manifested, orders of payment issued, and a careful supervision exercised that no forest products are unloaded before proper payment is made and order to unload shown. A disposition was shown by the native officials to avoid service in the provinces. These men stated that they would be in considerable danger of violence from the insurgents, as their work was somewhat of the character of tax collectors for the United States Government. As no man was employed without a clear understanding that he was to go where ordered, when refusal to go was met a discharge followed.

Several native officials have been discharged for neglect of duty and disobedience of orders. The service of the native officials is improving and will, I hope, continue to improve if they are constantly looked after and instructed. There is yet much more for them to learn. The Filipino knows nothing of estimating standing timber, selection of trees to be felled, and protection of younger growth. This must be taught him as soon as a sufficient number of trained foresters can be secured from other countries. Authority has been received to employ trained foresters in the United States, but in view of the magnitude of the forestry work inaugurated in the United States this year by the Forestry Division at Washington but little hope is felt that desirable men can be secured there. We must look to Germany, India, and Java. A recent letter from Java informs this office that an offer of $200, gold, per month will not secure any of their officials, as they are paid very much more, for their expert foresters receive from $310 to $610, gold, per month. The average pay of the foresters in India is about the same as in Java. The German officials are also well paid. This is to be expected, as the work demanded is highly scientific.

Great responsibilities are involved and none but men of unquestioned integrity should be employed. To enter a forestry school it is always necessary to have graduated at a college of some standing. Then a course of from two to three years may render one eligible to entrance in the forestry service. A forestry official was sent to Zamboanga, province of Zamboanga, island of Mindanao, to make a collection of the leaf, fruit, and flower of the different varieties of native tree species found there. A section of the trunk of the tree was also secured. He returned in three months with 423 varieties of wood and leaf. The fruit and flower were also secured when possible. Two officials are now in southern Mindanao investigating the varieties and amount of native tree species producing gutta-percha, rubber, and other gums. Parties sent to explore several hundred miles of public forest land in the Camarines have just returned, unable to complete their work owing to the disturbed conditions there.

By authority of a resolution passed by the Philippine Commission May 18, 1901, Dr. P. L. Sherman, special agent of the Forestry Bureau, was, about June 1, sent to Singapore, Java, and Sumatra to investigate methods of obtaining gutta-percha, and to pay special attention to the new method of extracting it from leaves, bark, and twigs. This with the view to the proper protection of our gutta forests in southern Mindanao and the Sulu group. The only method heretofore used by the natives in extracting gutta and rubber was to cut down the tree. Of course with this method it is only a question of time when the forests will be destroyed. From the investigations to be made by Dr. Sherman we hope to be able to teach them a much better method of extracting gutta and rubber and yet preserve the forest in its natural state. Dr. Sherman is expected to complete his work and return in August.

REGULATIONS.

The Spanish forestry laws and regulations in force in August, 1898, were found to be excellent, practicable, and in line with the most advanced legislation of Europe, where the science of forestry has reached such a high state of perfection. These laws and regulations were not fully enforced and scientific forestry not practiced, as the records now on hand and information gathered from the former forestry officials show. Licensees cut any and every thing; trees to be felled were not selected; any tree, no matter how small, could be felled; valuable rubber, guttapercha, and ylang-ylang trees were taken, and the most valuable woods used as firewood. As a matter of fact, the officials began after the tree had left the forest and not before. Fortunately, the amount felled has not been great. Those Spanish forestry regulations were translated and a new set compiled, based practically on the old, but arranged in a more compact form, a few changes being made. Blank forms similar to the old are used, with a few additional ones, nearly all of which are printed in Spanish, with English notes. The regulations went into effect July 1, 1900, and are published in the form of a General Order, No. 92, from the office of the United States military governor in the Philippines, dated Manila, P. I., June 27, 1900.

These regulations have not been amended up to the present, but as soon as peace is thoroughly restored in the forests, and when officials can work there without danger, a revision of the regulations will follow. The regulations seem to give satisfaction at the present time.

LICENSES.

Licenses to extract forest products from forest lands are issued by this office for a period of one year. The application for a license states the kind of forest products desired and the district in a certain province or island where the applicant wishes to operate. This application must be indorsed favorably by the forestry official and other responsible parties in the vicinity of the applicant's residence.

Owing to the disturbed conditions in these Islands, many licenses were taken out by parties who were mere traders in forest products and not actually supervising the extraction of these products in the forest. In view of the changed and more peaceful conditions this can now be remedied, and none but those operating in the forest given licenses.

Gratuitous licenses are given to needy residents desirous of constructing homes for themselves. The applications for these licenses are sent to the president of the town in which the applicant lives, and on an indorsement by this official to the effect that the applicant is not able to pay for the timber, with a favorable indorsement by the local forestry official, the license is granted for the free use of not to exceed 1,000 cubic feet of lower grade timber.

A copy of the forestry regulations is sent with each license.

The licensee pays the prescribed valuation on each cubic foot of wood cut, or if other forest products, 10 per cent of the market price in Manila.

Licenses have been granted in 25 provinces of Luzon and in 28 other islands. Up to date the following number of licenses have been granted:

Where an applicant employs practically all the people of a thinly populated district, and where he shows that he can cut all that should be properly cut in that district, other licenses for that particular limited area are not granted. By this means the forestry officials can at once place the responsibility for any violation of the forestry regulations. The above privilege with a good prospect of renewal is a fair arrangement with parties contemplating extensive operations.

PRIVATE WOODLANDS.

Owners of woodlands are permitted to cut and market their timber or other forest products after registration of their titles to these lands in this office. A notice of the registration is issued on one of the printed forms, and a notice of registration also placed on the title. A previous registration of this title in the proper register of property is necessary before registration in this office. Registration in the Forestry Bureau is no guarantee of title, although the documents are carefully scanned before being accepted. Eighty-six tracts of private woodlands have been registered up to date, aggregating a total area of about 207,159 acres. More than 130,000 acres of this total are in the

island of Luzon. These private lands are owned by Europeans and natives.

The timber lands of the religious orders have not been registered as yet. Notice has been received that application for this will be made in the near future.

From July 1, 1900, to June 30, 1901, the following utilization of forest products on private lands have been noted:

Timber.
Firewood

Charcoal

...cubic feet.. 146, 272 .cubic meters.. 24,899 ..do.... 6, 140

Each shipment of such forest products must be accompanied by a certificate of the presidente of the nearest town that this product was taken from such a party's private land.

The following statement will show the amount and Government valuation in Mexican currency of the forest products utilized from public lands from July 1, 1900, to June 30, 1901:

Timber, cubic feet, 2,469,930; equal in board measure to 29,639,160. Firewood, cubic feet, 1,955,561.

About $5,000 have been received in payment for rubber, gums, etc., taken from public lands.

Bark, dyewoods, and charcoal have returned a revenue of about $1.440.

The following have been the expenses of the bureau for the fiscal year, including salaries, traveling expenses, incidental expenses, and for purchase of office property and timber specimens: