REPORT ON THE EXCURSION TO FRANCE. 131 



At Gerardmer, the forests grow on a granite formation, and 

 up to an altitude of 3000 to 4000 feet above sea-level. 



The method of management here is practically the same as 

 that seen at Celles, the rotation being 150 years. One-fourth 

 part of the communal block is reserved for amenity and ornament. 

 Though many fine trees were seen here, they did not bulk so 

 largely throughout the area as did those seen on the previous 

 day. 



During the winter of 1902, a severe gale uprooted enormous 

 quantities of spruce and silver fir, the damage then done being 

 estimated at ^600,000. Following this gale a plague of 

 Bostrichus typographus infested the fallen wood, and since then 

 they have seriously attacked the growing trees. Those insects 

 are now causing enormous damage to the growing-stock, and one 

 is surprised that more stringent measures are not being taken 

 to exterminate the pest. This seems a case in which, for the 

 time being, the provisions of the working-plan should be 

 subordinated, and very extensive special falls should be permitted 

 to try and exterminate the insect. 



Consequent on the wind-fall, and the killing of the standing 

 trees by the Bostrichus, large areas have had to be clear-felled, 

 and natural regeneration cannot there take place. As it is the 

 aim of the management to reduce the percentage of spruce and 

 increase that of silver fir, it is proposed to plant those vacant 

 areas first with a crop of Scots pine, and afterwards to raise a crop 

 of silver fir beneath the shade of the pine ; and this seems to be a 

 good plan. In that part of the forest which was visited, and 

 which is now 80 years of age, it was estimated that there was a 

 growing-stock equal to 5000 cubic feet per acre. 



The average price of timber in this locality during the last 30 

 years is given at 4d. per cubic foot, sold standing. 



In the State forest, the silver fir forms 50 per cent, of the crop, 

 while spruce and beech are each in the proportion of 25 percent. 

 It was rather remarkable to notice that in this district the beech 

 grows to a higher altitude than either the silver fir or spruce. In 

 not a few instances beech was seen growing at 3500 feet above 

 sea-level, although, naturally, at this height its growth is slow 

 and the trees are much stunted, and practically useless for 

 commercial purposes. 



Two very fine silver fir were seen in this forest. One, the 

 Beau Sapin, has a height of 144 feet, and a girth of 140 inches 



