1885. J FORESTRY EXIliniTIOX IX EDINBURGH. 423 



an illustration of his subject, of which I may with advantage avail 

 myself here. The term Furdage is applied to a method of exploiting 

 coppice wood, in which shoots which may be deemed fit for removal 

 are ferreted out ; as in timber forests, trees here and there are 

 felled in accordance with what is known as Jardinage, from its 

 resemblance to the procedure of a gardener in gathering only here 

 and there matured vegetables. Having given details of an improved 

 method of procedure with coppice-wood, which does not immediately 

 concern us here, he proceeds : — 



" Let lis compare now the spirit of the method proposed with 

 that of the old system of Furdagc, and cast a glance at the general 

 results of the two methods of procedure. 



" One can establish easily two essential differences. 



" In the old Furdagc each shoot was considered individually ; 

 and the necessary precautions were taken to secure the life of the 

 stump, and the prosperous growth of the shoots to be obtained. 

 Further, the shoots in a dominant condition were exploited, and the 

 dominated shoots were reserved awaiting the attainment by these of 

 a maximum of dimensions which was variable. 



" On the contrary, by the employment of the proposed formula: — 



" The consideration of each shoot separately is abandoned in 

 favour of the consideration of the prosperity of the crop in a mass. 

 This method of looking at the subject is conformable to the modern 

 and generally adopted method of attending to the culture of woods, 

 the prescriptions of which relate to forest masses, and not to the 

 trees individually. It is thus in the manoeuvring of a coiys cVarmde, 

 or of a battalion, or of even a platoon of soldiers, the individuality 

 of the soldier is effaced. Attention to be given to the development 

 of each subject pertains to arboriculture, wdiilst it is the develop- 

 ment of the forest mass which is what pertains to sylviculture." 



It is what is said in the continuation of the preceding paragraph 

 which illustrates the point. 



M. Guinier discusses the matter in all its details ; and he states 

 at what places in France Furetage is practised, and the extent to 

 which it is there carried out. But upon these discussions and 

 statements I do not feel called upon to enter. 



Similar to this is the technical difference between arboriculture 

 and sylviculture, of which alone we hear on the Continent, for 

 attention there is given primarily to the culture of woods and 

 forests, and only in subordination to this to the requirements on 

 individual trees. 



But tliis explanation has been given only as a preliminary 

 statement. Connected with this sylviculture, — it matters not to our 

 argument whether it be as cause or as effect, or as a consequence of 



