218 France. 



10 years of age was revived from former ordinances, 

 the time later (1787) being increased for public forests 

 to 25 years. Also the obligation to keep one-fourth 

 of the forest in reserve, which Charles IX had decreed 

 in 1560, was renewed for the public forests (those 

 belonging to corporations and other public institu- 

 tions). For the fir forests of the mountains, which 

 had become important as furnishers of ship masts, 

 special regulations were issued, and the mast timber 

 reserved for the crown. 



There was lively opposition to the enforcement of 

 these prescriptions, especially where they interfered 

 with property rights, nevertheless they persisted 

 until the changes brought about by the revolution 

 of 1789. 



Certain prescriptions, as for instance the exclusion 

 of sheepherding were never enforced, and this practice 

 continues even to-day in certain sections. 



As a result of the reform, however, the revenues 

 from the royal forests trebled in 20 years. 



During the 18th century, several famines occurred 

 and led to the encouragement of extending farm 

 operations at the expense of the forest, notably in 

 the sixties, when among other similar efforts some 

 200 families returning from Canada after the English 

 conquest were colonized in the forests of Poitou. At 

 that time, also the "declaration" of 1766 exempted 

 those who cleared land for farm purposes for 15 years 

 from all taxes. As a result of this invitation some 

 750,000 acres were cleared, and the practice of clear- 

 ing for farm use continued until the middle of the 

 19th century. In this way, by inconsiderately ex- 



