78 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The State Forest of Haye. 



By M. Larzilliere, Conservateur des Eaux et Forets, Nancy. 



Situation. 



The State Forest of Haye forms part of a wooded area, con- 

 taining about 27,210 acres, which occupies the angle formed 

 by the convergence of the Meurthe and the Moselle, to the west 

 of the town of Nancy. 



Area. 



The area belonging to the State is 15,940 acres. 



Situation. 



The forest forms a single block of irregular shape, extending 

 from the south to the north through 8-7 miles, and from east 

 to west 5 miles. It is cut in the middle by the main road 

 from Nancy to Toul. 



Configuration. 



The forest occupies a plateau, of which the mean altitude is 

 about 1 1 50 feet above the level of the sea, and 490 feet above 

 the Meurthe and the Moselle, and which terminates abruptly to 

 the west and to the south by steep slopes. The plateau is inter- 

 sected by narrow valleys in various directions, the sides of which 

 are often steep. 



Geology and Forest Soil. 



The forest rests entirely on the two lower strata of Jurassic 

 rock. The subsoil, which contains considerable beds of iron-ore 

 now being worked, is formed of limestone, fissured and cut by 

 numerous vertical cracks. The superficial layer is composed of 

 sand and limestone in variable proportions, with oxide of iron 

 The vegetable soil is shallow and light, and nearly always dry 

 and stony. 



It has a remarkable tendency to become dry. As a result, 

 the soil of the Forest of Haye cannot maintain its fertility, 

 or improve itself, unless it be constantly covered by a crop with 

 dense foliage. 



Crops. 



The principal species are the oak, the beech, and the 

 hornbeam. 



