FOREST CASUALTIES OF OUR ALLIES 



905 



Native trees will naturally be utilized for the great 

 majority of the forest areas to be created, and among 

 them the oak, the beech, the ash, the fir, the spruce, and 

 the Scotch pine will occupy a preponderating place. 



It is certain, however, that France may use to advant- 

 age, in a certain measure, foreign varieties which have 

 already proven successful in France, and this enabled 

 the Administration of Waters and Forests to accept 

 with gratitude the offer of the American Forestry Asso- 

 ciation to place at its disposal seed of American trees to 

 help reconstruct the French forests. 



If among these seed there are some, such as those of 

 the Douglas fir and the Weymouth pine, to which France 

 gives a very marked preference, it is owing to the fol- 

 lowing reasons : 



The Douglas fir, Pseudotsuga Douglasii, known in 

 France as the "Sapin de Douglas," was introduced there 

 in 1826 ; and it has thus far proven there to be hardy 

 under all conditions, the great cold of 1879-1880, 13° 

 below zero, not having affected it. Placed in an environ- 

 ment which suits it, it prefers somewhat cool silicious 

 soils, it grows rapidly and is capable of giving good 

 yields. It is a variety destined to have an assured future 

 in France as a forest tree. Fine masses of it are novv 



found in the center of the country, particularly in Sologne. 



The Weymouth pine {Piniis Strobus), the Pine of 

 Lord Weymouth, is of no less interest to France. Its 

 introduction in Europe is very ancient, being said to 

 have taken place in England toward 1705 through Lord 

 Weymouth. Although of very great hardiness and rapid 

 growth, it spread at first very slowly on the old continent ; 

 but after about 50 years its use greatly developed. It 

 was introduced advantageously in moist and even peaty 

 soils, particularly those of the Vosges, where it gave ex- 

 ceedingly satisfactory results. 



Cultivated on lands which suit it, that is, on cool soil 

 which is of a silicious or clayey nature preferably, it 

 grows with great vigor. It is a fully settled fact at 

 present that this species is also capable of being employed 

 successfully in France in the reforestation of certain 



lands. 



France Accepts Help 



Following a trip to the battlefields, principally those 

 upon which the Americans fought, the writer had the 

 pleasure of presenting to the French Government of- 

 ficials the offer of the American Forestry Association 

 to provide France with American tree seed to reforest 

 not only sections of devastated forest land but for use 



Underwood and Underwood— Bn(i>/i Official Photografh 



A COMBINATION OF DESTRUCTION 



The Huns not only destroyed by fire this fine old Chateau in the Flanders section of the battle front, but cut down all the fruit and ornamental 

 trees surrounding it. Their explanation might be that of military necessity, but to the civilian it looks much like wanton destruction. 



