FORESTRY AND THE WAR IN ITALY lOD 



compiled for the Ministry of Agriculture at Rome, there are 5,000.000 

 horse-power. Of this amount 24 per cent of the total available horse- 

 power has been utilized. In the percentage of water-power utilization, 

 Italy exceeded only by the United States, Switzerland, and Germany, 

 and exceeds such other important water-power countries as Norway, 

 Sweden, England, France and Canada in its percentage of used power. 

 In respect to developed horse-power per square mile of area, Italy is 

 exceeded only by Switzerland among the other important countries. 

 Water-power development began in 1892 with the use of the famous 

 falls of Tivoli near Rome. The largest plant at the present time, at 

 \'alcomonica. delivers 20,000 horse-power a distance of 72 miles, and 

 the plant at Tirano transmits 20,000 horse-power a distance of 25 

 miles to Milan. By royal decree of November 26, 1916, a plan was 

 promulgated for much more complete utilization of Italian hydraulic 

 energy. It is estimated that by the further development of 1,000,000 

 horse-power a saving in annual importation of 3,500,000 tons of coal 

 will be effected, resulting in a change of at least $20,000,000 in Italy's 

 trade balance. 



Italy's forest program is obviously closely associated with her 

 water-power interests. In the Italian Royal Forestry College, special 

 attention is given to the training of men in the development of water- 

 power properties, the elifect of forests on run ofif and stream flow, water 

 storage, construction of power dams and the utilization of hydro-elec- 

 trical energy. Many of Italy's most prominent water-power properties 

 are in the region of the Alps along the battle front. Over 1,000,000 

 acres of forest land have been destroyed in this section either by shell 

 fire or by cuttings for military purposes. This condition will have an 

 important bearing upon stream flow and consequently upon the utiliza- 

 tion of available water power, and is a problem which must be faced 

 in the immediate future. 



Forestry began in Italy in 1869 with the establishment of a nucleus 

 of her state forests such as the forest of Ficuzza in Sicily, the forest 

 of A'allombrosa in Tuscany, and the founding of the Forestry Institute 

 at the monastery of Vallombrosa. Forestry in Italy is largely nation- 

 alized and the great focus of interest revolves about the central gov- 

 ernmental control. Although there is an active forestry association 

 similar to the American Forestry Association in this country, and 

 the Italians are generally great lovers of the forests and the outdoor 

 life, little has been done in the way of forestry in Italy aside from 

 government activity. Some of the municipalities have well-managed 

 forests, but as a rule the private companies and individuals who own 



