318 FORESTS OF ITALY. 
various subsidiary measures of an easily and economically prac- 
ticable character have been suggested. Among them is one 
which has long been favorably known in our Southern States 
under the name of czrcling, and the adoption of which in hilly 
regions in other States is to be strongly recommended. 
It is simply a method of preventing the wash of surface by 
rains, and at the same time of providing a substitute for irriga- 
tion of steep pasture-grounds, consisting in little more than in 
running horizontal furrows along the hillsides, thus converting 
the scarp of the hills into a succession of small terraces which, 
when once turfed over, are very permanent. Experience is said 
to have demonstrated that this simple process at least partially 
checks the too rapid flow of surface-water into the valleys, and, 
consequently, in a great measure obviates one of the most prom- 
inent causes of inundations, and that it suffices to retain the 
water of rains, of snows, and of small springs, long enough for 
the irrigation of the soil, thus increasing its product of herbage 
in a fivefold proportion.* 
As a further recommendation, it may be observed that this 
process is an admirable preparation of the ground for forest 
plantations, as young trees planted on the terraces would derive 
a useful protection from the form of the surface and the coat- 
ing of turf, and would also find a soil moist enough to secure 
their growth. 
Forests of Italy. 
According to the most recent statistics, Italy has 17.64 per 
cent. of woodland,+ a proportion which, considering the char- 
acter of climate and surface, the great amount of soil which is 
fit for no other purpose than the growth of trees, and the fact 
that much of the land classed as forest is either very imper- 
fectly wooded, or covered with groves badly administered, and 
not in a state of progressive improvement, might advanta- 
* Troy, Etude sur le Reboisement des Montagnes, $§ 6, 7, 21. 
+ Sremont, Manuale @ Arte Forestale, 2 ediz., Firenze, 1872, p. 542. 
