1496 A NATIONAL PLAN FOK AMERICAN FORESTRY 



be remembered that reduction in costs achieved at the expense of 

 survival is not economy. There are definite opportunities however 

 to pursue the cheaper, more expeditious methods of planting, and by 

 research to determine means that will maintain or increase survival 

 and at the same time favor optimum growth of the planted trees. 



The examples mentioned serve to illustrate the types of problems 

 which arise and the success to date in solving them. Experience 

 coupled with the necessary research will anticipate or meet such 

 situations in the future. It is exceedingly desirable that records be 

 kept which will identify the stock used on each plantation as to source 

 of seed, treatment in the nursery and at the time of planting. The 

 technical supervision and research necessary to assure success of large 

 scale forestation will represent a very reasonable charge, considering 

 the expenditures and the great variety of conditions involved. 



ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN FOREST PLANTING 

 ABROAD 



Forest planting of idle and barren land is not a new venture in 

 Europe, either as a means of soil stabilization or of timber production. 

 One outstanding example of the creation of an extensive forest area 

 from barren land is of particular interest. 



In southwestern France there is a large area of sand dunes and 

 marshes known as the Landes. Late in the eighteenth century, 

 purely as a means of saving the area from the shifting sands, a pro- 

 gram of afforestation was undertaken. The initial measures proved 

 so successful that they were continued, and extended to marsh lands, 

 and by the end of the nineteenth century over 1% million acres has 

 been planted to maritime pine. Today the Landes, once a worthless 

 area of sand and swamp, is forested and one of the most productive 

 areas in France. From it France gets the bulk of its naval stores and 

 a large part of its construction lumber. The region was a vitally 

 important source of timber for the Allies during the Great War. 



The nations of central and southern Europe have used tree planting 

 as a most important part of their effective work in controlling torrents 

 and erosion in mountainous areas. In the Alps and Pyrenees alone 

 close to half a million acres of land which, because of erosion, was once 

 a menace to the limited and intensively utilized agricultural soils of 

 the valleys, has been planted and stabilized. 



IN THE UNITED STATES 



The record in the United States is not. insignificant. The best 

 available records show that 1,892,000 acres have been planted to date. 

 It is plain that in expanding our planting program now we are not 

 starting out on a new untried venture. Table 4 shows by agencies 

 the total acreage planted prior to and during the calendar year 1931. 



