Io6 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The actual total production in timber of the German forests 

 is 20 million cub. metres a year. The additional labour, then, 

 required for the exploitation of the whole material of the State 

 forests in one year would correspond to 320 million cub. metres. 



A pair of experienced woodmen can fell and fashion about 

 5^ to 6 cub. metres a day in ordinary conditions. If it was 

 clear-felling in old woods, and at all seasons, we may allow an 

 extra 3 cub. metres of outturn a man a day. It results from 

 this that 100 million days' labour would be required to effect 

 the purpose in a year — that is to say, it would be necessary to 

 employ, in addition to the native labour of peace time, a 

 regular army of 330,000 workmen. That seems to me impos- 

 sible. If we confined ourselves to removing in a year the 

 timber of over 80 years old about 200,000 men would be 

 needed, while for the timber of over 100 years only there would 

 be required 180,000 workmen. 



It would be suitable, then, to spread the work over a longer 

 period — say five years. During these five years the native 

 labour would suffice for about 100 million cub. metres. There 

 would remain to be cut by imported workmen about 230 

 million cub. metres in five years, taking account of the growth 

 of the woods during the period of realisation, or 46 million 

 cub. metres a year. Fifty thousand men would suffice for this 

 task, and that seems to me quite feasible. The labour would 

 be furnished by Bulgarian and Turkish prisoners, who appear 

 to me thoroughly suited to accomplish this work of reparation 

 and justice in the country of their friends, the boches. The 

 Bulgarians especially are very good manual labourers, and 

 would certainly give full satisfaction. 



The supervision of this extraordinary felling should be 

 confided to the officers of the army which will occupy the 

 enemy's country till reparation is complete. It would be a pity 

 to turn aside for this work our forest officers, whose numbers, 

 alas, are now so terribly reduced. They have to carry out in 

 France a heavy and difficult task, which will only too fully 

 employ all their strength, competence, and devotion. 



There is no doubt that the wood thus thrown on the market 

 would be eagerly welcomed and easily absorbed. 



France consumed annually before the war n million 

 cub. metres of timber, of which nearly 5 million came from 

 abroad. Our demands are going to be greatly increased, and 



