Public lands and forests extend in an irregular strip around most pueblos.  There is no public forest, or even public lands, between Bontoc and Samoki, but Bontoc has access to the forests lying beyond her sister pueblo.  Neither is there public forest, or any forest, between Bontoc and Tukukan, and Bontoc and Titipan, though there are public lands.  In all other directions from Bontoc public forests surround the outlying private forests.  They are usually from three to six hours distant.  From them any man gathers what he pleases, but until the American came to Bontoc the Igorot seldom went that far for wood or lumber, as it was unsafe.  Now, however, the individual will doubtless claim these lands, unless hindered by the Government.  In this manner real property was first accumulated —­ a man claimed public lands and forests which he cared for and dared to appropriate and use.  There have been few irrigated sementeras built on new water supplies in two generations by people of Bontoc pueblo.  The “era of public lands” for Bontoc has practically passed; there is no more undiscovered water.  However, three new sementeras were built this year on an island in the river near the pueblo, and are now (May, 1903) full of splendid palay, but they can not be considered permanent property, as an excessively rainy season will make them unfit for cultivation.

Sale of property

Personal property commonly passes by transfer for value received from one party to another.  Such a thing as transfer of real property from one Igorot to another for legal currency is unknown; the transfer is by barter.  The transfer of personal property was considered in the preceding section on commerce.

Real property is seldom transferred for value received except at the death of the owner or a member of the family; at such times it is common, and occurs from the necessity of quantities of food for the burial feasts and the urgent need of blankets and other clothing for the interment.

Again, camote lands about the dwellings are disposed of to those who may want to build a dwelling.  Dwellings are also disposed of if the original occupant is to vacate and some other person desires to possess the buildings.

Death may destroy one’s personal property, such as hogs and carabaos, but almost never does an Igorot “lose his property,” if it is real.  Only a protracted family sickness or a series of deaths requiring the killing of great numbers of chickens, hogs, and carabaos, and the purchase of many things necessary for interment can lose to a person real property of any considerable value.

There is no formality to a “sale” of property, nor are witnesses employed.  It is common knowledge within the ato when a sale is on, and the old men shortly know of and talk about the transaction —­ thenceforth it is on record and will stand.

Rent, loan, and lease of property