STATE AND OTHER FORESTS OF FRANCE. I09 



system, the areas cleared being carefully fenced against deer and 

 rabbits, and the ground ploughed up and planted with potatoes. 

 This cost ^2, 7s. 6d. per acre, but was partly recouped by the 

 sale of the potatoes. Forest plants were then planted, or sown, 

 and the fences removed when the young crop was old enough. 

 Of late years, planting has been abandoned in favour of natural 

 regeneration. 



Revenue. 



The average gross revenue of the forest, during the last ten 

 years, has been ^33,480, including ^3880 for hunting and 

 shooting leases. 



The forest of Compiegne is the fourth in area in France, and 

 owing to its wealth in old trees, its splendid network of roads, its 

 proximity to Paris, to the noble old Palace of Compiegne and 

 the majestic Chateau de Pierrefonds, as well as to the beautiful 

 views obtained from the surrounding hills, it is one of the finest 

 forests in France. 



PART V. 



The Treatment of Oak in Coppice-with-Standards 

 in the North of France. 



By Professor Fisher. 



(From Notes by F. W. Collings, Esq.) 



Forets de St Amand et de Raismes ( Vale7iciennes)} 



Situation. 



These two forests, Foret Domaniale de St Amand and Foret 

 de Raismes, are very favourably situated near the town of Valen- 

 ciennes, in the Department du Nord, in France, and close 

 to the Belgian frontier, at an elevation of from 50 to 100 feet 

 above sea-level. To the north-west flows the river Scarpe, a 

 tributary of the Scheldt. Railways, tramways, rivers, and canals 

 all run through the forests, making transport comparatively easy; 

 and the neighbourhood of the French and Belgian coal-fields gives 

 the wood a special value. 



The Forest of Raismes is surrounded on three sides by the 

 Forest of St Amand, and forms a compact area. 



^ These forests were not visited by the Society. 



