FOREST SITUATION IN FRANCE 523 



on account of lack of market. This material was substituted for coal 

 wherever practicable, becoming a most valuable resource, and inci- 

 dentally benefitting the owners before the war was over to the extent 

 of five to ten dollars per cord stumpage. There was also a considerable 

 saving in fuel requirements through the extensive use of waterpowers 

 which in turn owed their existence in part to the reforestation and 

 conservation of existing forests on their watersheds. 



A more indirect efifect of France's forest policy was that upon her 

 man power. Woods work has always produced a strong and self- 

 reliant type of man, toughened by exposure and able to withstand the 

 hardships of life in the camps and trenches. The permanent character 

 of French forest industries maintains a class of men of this type and 

 has given them permanent homes. They have done their share to 

 protect these homes by making no small contribution to their country's 

 armies. Many a ''blue devil" of the famous chasseurs won his sturdy 

 endurance and resourcefulness in the woods. 



The direct military value of forests in defensive warfare has drawn 

 frequent comment. The extensive forest groups north of Paris were 

 undoubtedly of immense value to the Allies in checking the enemy 

 advance on the city.. This assistance was counterbalanced, in part, at 

 least, by the value of the forests to the enemy in strengthening his 

 lines of occupation in northern France. The chief constribution of 

 French forests to the allied victory was on the economic side. 



CONDITIONS DURING THE WAR 



What was the forest situation at the outbreak of the war? France 

 had O.SSfi.TOO hectares or about 24,400.000 acres in forest. Of this 

 the State owned 1,199,400 hectares or 3,000,000 acres, the Communes 

 (including also certain public establishments) 1,948,000 hectares or 

 4,800,000 acres, and private parties (including a few Communes not 

 under Government forest management) G, 738, 700 hectares or IG,- 

 GOO.OOG acres. The State forests were mostly in excellent condition, 

 with ample growing stock and reserves of large timber. In some more 

 inaccessible forests the growing stock was excessive. The average 

 production of sawtimber per hectare was 0.84 cubic meters, against 

 0.G5 cubic meters for communal and private forests, which produce 

 more fuelwood. 



The private forests contained a very important quantity of timber. 

 They varied greatly in quality and productivity, but were very inferior 



