1885.] ITALIAN FORESTS. 413 



between fields and meadows and barren or rocky ground. The most 

 important species cultivated is the white fir (Ahies taxifolia), 

 which occupies 498-27 hectares out of the total wooded area; then 

 follow the beech, occupying 336-65 hectares; the bitter oak 

 (" cerro "), 65-45 hectares ; and the chestnut, 38-28 hectares, which 

 grows on the lower slopes near Serravalle. The bitter oak which is 

 met with above the chestnut attains large dimensions, but its wood 

 is of small value. The remaining 10-90 hectares are planted with 

 coppice woods. 



The old convent of Camaldoli, now converted into a modern hotel, 

 stands at the beginning of the fir woods, which extend up the rapid 

 rise of 1488 metres to the Sacro Eremo or Hermitage. The largest 

 trees are found in the neighbourhood of the Hermitage, from whence 

 to the summit of the Giogana the ground is occupied by youuc fir 

 plantation.s, with beech woods and copses. 



Before Camaldoli came into the hands of the Italian Government, 

 the trees were cut down sparingly, and generally by thinning, which 

 rendered the standing trees liable to be overthrown by the wind. 

 Some forty years ago a considerable numljer of old trees were 

 destroyed in this manner. The damage then done has since been 

 repaired by new plantations. Up to 1880, the administration had 

 been compelled to have recourse to irregular cuttings only, it beino- 

 necessary to put the forest in proper order before cuttings on a 

 regular system could be carried out. During the nine years 

 1871-79, 147-22 hectares have been re-wooded, and 34-21 

 hectares of coppice converted into tall woods. The species of 

 resinous trees planted have been wliite and red firs, larches, Corsican 

 pines, and the Pimis sijlvcstris, the plants being reared in the 

 nurseries belonging to the administration. Among the other trees 

 planted were oaks, ailanthuses, chestnuts, and robinias, with several 

 thousand beech trees on the higher slopes to protect the lower 

 plantations from the wind. The total number of plants set during 

 the above period was 466,569, with an additional quantity of 

 1-309 kilos of seed. A large nursery was established in the 

 meadows of Metaleto, near the Convent. 



Fully to develop its value, the forest requires more roads. The 

 new road to Poppi is of great use. It was constructed at a cost of 

 100,000 lire, of which the Forestal Administration contributed 

 30,000 lire, the balance being borne by the Commune of Poppi. 

 Previou.sly the heavy timber to its great detriment was drawn by 

 oxen over the rocky ground so far as the so-called " porto " or 

 depot near the Pontea Poppi, whence it was conveyed by land 

 on carts, or by water on floats or rafts, to Arezzo, Florence, and 

 Lecrhorn. 



