REPORT ON THE EXCURSION TO FRANCE. I 25 



The forest occupies a plateau, of which the mean altitude 

 is about 1 1 50 feet above sea-level. It rests entirely on the two 

 lower strata of Jurassic rock. The subsoil is formed of lime- 

 stone, fissured and cut by numerous vertical cracks, and it has 

 a slight admixture of clay in the subsoil, as well as broken 

 limestone and sand. The surface-soil is composed of sand and 

 lime in variable proportions, with oxide of iron ; it is shallow 

 and light, and though not always dry, it is liable to become 

 so in dry weather. As a result of this, the Forest of Haye 

 cannot maintain its fertility unless it be constantly covered by 

 a species of dense foliage. 



This forest was originally beech, was afterwards transformed 

 into coppice-with-standards, and is now (during the last 42 

 years) being converted into high forest. The forest is for this 

 purpose divided into eight working-sections, in which the rotation 

 varies as under : — 



^Working sections I., II., V., VI., VII., 144 years. 



Under regu- r Attached to 



lar Forest- ,, „ IV., 120 years, the Experi- 



Service. „ ,, VIII., 150 years, j mental Sta- 



l Ition at Nancy. 



There is no difference in the rotation for oak and beech, as they 

 are grown throughout in mixed crops. Hornbeam occupies an 

 important place in the coppices and underwoods. All kinds are 

 naturally reproduced. 



Shortly after entering the forest, much interest was taken in an 

 experimental plot between 30 to 40 years of age, which has been 

 set aside for the purpose of ascertaining the best method of 

 thinning. 



In the first section, no thinning or attention of any description 

 was given to the trees from the time of reproduction. In the 

 second section, the most promising and valuable trees were cut 

 free from others which interfered with their crowns (edaircie par 

 le haut). In the third section, thinning was simply confined 

 to the removal of suppressed trees {edaircie par le bas). In this 

 last plot, all promising trees of erect habit and vigorous growth 

 were being encouraged by the removal of suppressed and ill- 

 shaped trees interfering with their free development, and by 

 giving to the individual oaks more light and freedom than is 



