FOREST CONSERVATION AND AGRICUI/rURE 



49 



ling to start, and then gradually uncov- 

 ered, until at the first cutting you will 

 find the soil completely covered with 

 regeneration, at little or no cost. These 

 same principles can be applied in the 

 United States. 



RESTRICTIVE IvEGISLATION. 



Since, in some localities, the perma- 

 nent welfare of the community will de- 

 pend on conservation cutting, let us 

 consider what steps are being taken 

 to insure this kind of cutting. As yet, 

 there has been no repressive legislation 

 in America to force owners into prac- 

 ticing forestry, and I feel sure this will 

 seldom be necessary, because our citi- 

 zens are too public-spirited, when once 

 they realize that the development of the 

 locality is at stake, to pursue methods 

 that would ruin the prosperity of 

 others. Yet I wish to call your atten- 

 tion to what France has done in Al- 

 geria to prevent the unwise destruction 

 of forests. Article 76 of the famous 



Algerian Forest Code, promulgated in 

 190-3, gives in a nutshell the conditions 

 under which private land can be expro- 

 priated as a measure of public utility: 



1. For the maintenance of lands on 

 mountains or slopes. 



2. For protecting the soil against 

 erosion of rivers or torrents. 



'^. To ensure the existence of springs 

 and water-courses. 



4. To render stable the coast dunes 

 and those of the Sahara, and for pro- 

 tection against the erosion of the sea, 

 and drifting of sand. 



5. For the defense of territory in 

 the frontier zone. 



(). For the sake of public health. 



The direct or indirect protection of 

 agricultural soils in Algeria was one of 

 the main justifications for this law. 



Such legislation as this, it is hoped, 

 is not going to be necessary in the 

 United States, but it shows what the 

 Republic of France has seen fit to pro- 

 mulgate. 



NEW YORK STATE NURSERY AT SALAMANCA. TIIICSE BEDS HAY]': SICEDLIXGS ONE, TWO 

 AND THREE YEARS OLD AND THESE ARE USED FOR PLANTl.VG STATE LANDS OR ARE 

 SOLD FOR THE REPLANTING OF PRIVATE LANDS. 



