ANNUAL EXCURSION. 85 



of spruce. Towards the upper limits of the forests silver fir 

 occurs, and extends to about 5200 feet. The forests here 

 belong to the commune and are managed on a rotation of 

 100 years. 



On reaching the summit perhaps one of the grandest views 

 in Switzerland was obtained. A gigantic mountain range lay 

 before us, extending from beyond Grindelwald to the Breithorn, 

 and including among other peaks the Wetterhorn, Schreckhorn, 

 Finsteraarhorn, Eiger, Monch, Jungfrau and Grosshorn. After 

 having breakfasted, the descent was commenced on foot in the 

 direction of Grindelwald. During the first part of the route 

 most of the country consisted of meadowland. Much of this 

 had originally been forest, but the unrestricted grazing of cattle 

 and especially of goats has quite depleted it. At present both 

 meadowland and forest are under the same authority, so that 

 grazing operations are properly controlled. 



The typical Swiss chalet was very much in evidence in this 

 region. The cattle are taken to these upland meadows in May 

 and return to the valleys in September. While here the cows 

 are brought in at 8 a.m. to be milked and again at 6 p.m., 

 after which they are turned out for the night. In hot weather, 

 however, they remain inside all day to escape the heat. 

 The milk is made into butter and cheese in the chalet. In 

 autumn the cattle return to the valleys in stages. During the 

 months of November and December they again come up to 

 the chalets, and are fed on the hay which is stored there. This 

 obviates the necessity of transporting the hay from the high 

 meadows down into the valleys. 



The descent was continued via Iseltenalp to the protection 

 works at Schiltriesete. Here some time ago a large landslide 

 occurred which covered the main road at the foot of the slope. 

 Evidence that the hillside was slipping was obtained from the 

 fact that the trees commenced to lean down hill. These leaning 

 stems were cut over, and retaining walls were built at the bottom 

 of the slope. About twenty-five years ago a slip took place on 

 another part of the area when the land was swept quite bare of 

 vegetation. Retaining walls were again constructed, this time 

 beginning at the top of the affected area, and the whole was 

 planted with alder, willow and spruce. One of the walls 

 examined showed a terraced construction, having been built in a 

 series of large steps. 



