497 



witliout delay of a large mass of observations to be utilized in a way 

 correspoading to forest exi3loitatioa. 



3. As soon as a system of forest experiment is organized in any coun- 

 try it should be placed in communication with similar systems in other 

 countries, in order to act together upon points of international interest, 

 as well as to determine the proper methods of action. 



4. Questions demanding international observations are those which 

 investigate the influence of forests upon climates, the amount of rain- 

 fall, the formation of springs, inundations, &c. This class of inquiries 

 should be prosecuted at once, as the solution of the question of forest 

 preservation depends upon the information obtained on this subject. 



5. A permanent commission should be constituted for deliberating 

 upon measures suited to the development of forest experimentation, 

 with liberty to call in the aid of specialists. 



6. The aid of different countries is invoked. 



IV. What international measures seem necessary to remedy the ever- 

 increasing devastation of forests. 



1. An international effort has become necessary, especially for the 

 preservation of forests at the sources of great water-courses, as their 

 unlimited destruction brings about a fluctuation of water-levels very 

 injurious to commerce and industry, filling the channels with sand, 

 weakening the banks, overflowing the cultivated fields, and occasion- 

 ing injuries affecting not only a single territory, but also other coun- 

 tries. 



2. The preservation and management of forests, planted upon shift- 

 ing sands, upon the summit and upon the declivities of mountains, 

 upon the sea-shore, and other exposed places, is a matter of interest to 

 all civilized nations, wherefore general principles should be established 

 and put in force in all countries, binding upon proprietors of forests, the 

 preservation of which is demanded by agriculture. 



3. The preservation of forests being dependent upon good and sure 

 management, especially in common forests, an international agreement 

 is essential in order to make the researches and to obtain communica- 

 tions in regard to existing arrangements in different countries. 



4. The Austrian minister of agriculture is requested to confer with 

 other governments in regard to the preparation of statistical reports, 

 embracing the localities of the forests to be protected, their extent, 

 character, &c. 



The congress finally concludes, that an international agricultural and 

 forest congress, composed of delegates of governments and of great 

 agricultural and forest associations, be convoked for the examination of 

 legislative measures, facilitating the international exchange of agricul- 

 tural and forest products, of finely-bred animals, of agricultural machin- 

 ery, of artificial fertilizers, &c. The congress should also deliberate 

 upon such scientific questions as will stimulate the progress of these 

 great industries. The delegates should, at each session of the congress, 

 report upon the international trade in alimentary products. The presi- 

 dent should place himself in communication with governments and 

 great agricultural and forest associations, in order to rally the force of 

 these great interests to the statistical work contemplated. 



