in Provence and the Cevennes. 343 



as tliey did, is probably due to the fortunate circumstance 

 that the people about this region do not keep goats. 

 With this latter exception, the conditions resemble very 

 closely those met with in many parts of India, and the 

 visit was a particularly instructive one to us on that 

 account. 



It is said that the works have already had an influence 

 in reducing the amount of silt carried down by the rivers, 

 and in improving the water supply in the hills. Before 

 1860, when they were commenced, there were very few 

 trees left, the soil being shallow and almost entirely 

 deprived of vegetable mould. The cluster pine was at 

 first sown broadcast up to an altitude of 1800 feet, which 

 is the limit of its growth as a good-sized tree in this 

 locality. The seedlings grew well for a time, but they met 

 with a severe check in consequence of a series of cold 

 winters, and lately a mixture has been introduced by 

 planting Spanish chestnuts. 



The path from Genolhac to the summit of Mont 

 Lozere is 8 miles long and 7 feet wide, having an uniform 

 gradient of 7 in a hundred. It cost £200 a mile. 

 After following this path for some distance, we crossed a 

 torrent, which a few years ago threatened to do much 

 damage. It is not sufficient in a case of this sort merely to 

 sow seeds on the ground ; for success is impossible unless 

 the slipping and falling away of the soil is first arrested. 

 In 1875 dry-stone walls were therefore built across the bed, 

 the loose soil near the head of the ravine being retained in 

 its place by smaller walls, and by fascines picketed down, 

 with young trees planted behind them. Acacia and alder 

 were also planted behind the larger works, and they have 

 succeeded admirably ; but unfortunately a portion of the 

 head of the torrent is situated in private property, and on this 

 account it has not yet been taken in hand. A slope was 

 pointed out to us on the opposite side of the valley, where 

 the loose surface had been fixed by planting broom in 

 lines. 



On rising to a height of 2300 feet, we found ourselves 

 above the limit of the cluster pine, which here had a 

 very stunted appearance. The ground had been sown with 

 Pinus montana, mixed with a few Scotch pines, Laricio 



