=Quebracho.= In the subtropical country, which is the entire north aside from the mountains, the most valuable wood is the quebracho, of two varieties, red and white. The tree takes 90-100 years to reach maturity, with a height of 80 feet and a diameter of about 2¹⁄₂ feet. Logs are exported for the extraction of tannin, though tannin is extracted locally in increasing quantities, and shipped. The wood is much employed by the railways for sleepers as it does not decay from standing in water. Lately, owing to shortage of coal much has been used in locomotives for fuel, and some for manufactories. Formerly Great Britain was the principal purchaser, but of late the United States has taken the most. In 1915 over $15,000,000 worth of extract was exported and $2,500,000 of logs. Quebracho, break-axe, is of course extremely hard, but there are other hard woods like cedar, and many varieties of valuable timber. =Yerba mate= is cultivated in many places, especially in Misiones; the wild growing trees of the forest furnish a still greater supply of the leaves. From these a drink is made which outside of the large cities is in this part of the continent far more popular than tea or coffee. The northern forests contain several varieties of rubber trees, but none are exploited. Along the Andes are forests, the principal ones from Lake Nahuel Huapi south. Those in this region are believed to be worth $10,000,000,000. The variety of native woods both hard and soft is large; and trees of other countries have been introduced. Thousands of eucalyptus trees have been planted on many _estancias_, serving a useful purpose in many ways, beside being an ornament on the level plain. MINING In the description of the Provinces, mention has been made of the minerals existing in various localities, but up to the present time the working of these has been slight. Tungsten, gold, copper, wolfram, borax, and petroleum have received the most attention, but few are those who have realized any considerable profits. Within ten years the exports have amounted to hardly more than $3,000,000. =Gold= is mined in small quantities in various places; in southern Patagonia it is gathered from the coast sands after a heavy sea storm. In Neuquen and Catamarca are workings of fair size. The copper deposits of the Andes are difficult of access but may be developed later. Silver was mined formerly, but the ore was of moderate grade and the work was discontinued. A reverberatory smelter has recently been installed for the mines in Rioja. =Coal= deposits exist in Mendoza, San Juan, Neuquen, Chubut, and Tierra del Fuego. The coal is not very good but will help in view of the shortage and high prices. Work is being done in San Juan and Mendoza. It is proposed to open mines among large deposits in Chubut, though the coal will have to be carried 180 miles to a railway.