136 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



It was in this forest that the finest oak were seen. They are 

 managed on a rotation of 200 years, and being grown mostly on 

 deep, loamy soil, the volume per acre at the final felling is 

 enormous. Members were informed that the best standing crop, 

 about 10 years ago, contained 13,258 cubic feet per acre, and 

 was worth about ;j^6oo. 



It was both interesting and instructive to witness the different 

 stages of growth, from the seedlings recently germinated to the 

 200-year-old veterans waiting their turn to be felled. 



In Belleme, seed-years are more frequent than in most other 

 forests in France. The acorns are generally very abundant, so 

 that 12 years, and sometimes less, suffice to restock a felling 

 area. The beech in this forest is simply kept for soil-protection 

 and for improving the growth of the oak. Here, as elsewhere, it 

 was evident that, in the growing of oak, beech forms a very 

 important factor. No one knows the value of beech better than 

 does the French forester, and no one knows better than he how 

 to take advantage of its various good qualities. 



Here, also, the usual precautions are taken to preserve the 

 young oak from aggressive beech and hornbeam. 



Thinnings begin after the trees have reached their 25th 

 year, and are repeated every 12 or 13 years, up to 175 years, 

 after which the trees are left untouched until the seeding felling 

 is made. 



After dining together in the small village inn at Belleme, the 

 members returned to Paris, which was reached shortly after 

 midnight. 



The last two days, Thursday and Friday, 4th and 5th August, 

 members were free to spend as they pleased. The bulk of the 

 time was pleasantly spent in taking part in organised and 

 properly-conducted tours through the principal public buildings 

 and thoroughfares of Paris, while not a few included in their 

 programme a visit to the beautiful town of Versailles. Altogether, 

 the tour was splendidly arranged. 



To realise the immensity, the density, and the value of the 

 forests in France, one must actually see them for oneself. 

 Practically everything in connection with the management and 

 general upkeep of the French forests differs from what is practised 

 in our country. One is particularly struck by the expenditure 

 side of the annual balance-sheet. The rate per acre for working 

 and other expenses seems ridiculously low when compared with 



