REPORT ON THE EXCURSION TO FRANCE. 137 



what it costs at home; but then the French method of treating- 



forests difiFers considerably from ours. To begin with, the forests 



there are practically unfenced, and instead of being grouped 



about in patches of from 20 to 200 or 300 acres, as in this 



country, they are distributed in unbroken masses for thousands 



and tens of thousands of acres. Instead of having to plant the 



bulk of these forests, they are so rationally and scientifically 



managed as to enable each tree to reproduce itself. In those 



few but vast differences an enormous saving in money can be 



effected when compared with the methods adopted in this country. 



Those who took part in this Excursion owe warm gratitude to 



the French forest officers who conducted the party through the 



various forests. Ready at all times to explain the minutest 



details of management, they spared no pains in making the 



different inspections both interesting and instructive, while their 



invariable courtesy and kindness to all and sundry will be long 



and gratefully remembered. Their special thanks are also due 



to the president, Mr Steuart Fothringham, and to Professor 



Fisher, for translating the explanations given by the French 



foresters. 



