Reforestation Work. 229 



estimate of the value of these plantations places it 

 at, not less than $18,000,000, so that lands which 

 50 years ago, could hardly be sold for $4.00 per acre, 

 now bring over $3.00 as an annual revenue. 



In the province of Champagne, South of Rheims, a 

 plain of arid lime-stone wastes of an extent which 

 in the 18th century had reached 1,750,000 acres is 

 found. About 1807, the movement for the recovery 

 of these wastes began; first in a small way, gaining 

 strength by 1830 after some sporadic experiments 

 had shown the possibility of reforestation, and to-day 

 over 200,000 acres of coniferous forest (mainly Aus- 

 trian and Scotch Pine), largely planted by private 

 incentive, are in existence, the better acres being 

 farmed. It is interesting to note that land which 50 

 years ago was often sold without measurement by 

 distance, "as far as the cry would carry," and rarely 

 for more than $4.00 per acre, is to-day worth over 

 $40.00 at a cost for planting of less than $25.00. The 

 stumpage value of a thirty years' growth is figured at 

 from $50 to $100, the total forest area is valued at 

 $10,000,000, with net revenue from the 200,000 acres 

 at $2.00 per acre. 



France is unfortunate in having within her territory, 

 although so little mountainous, the largest propor- 

 tion of the area in Europe liable to torrential action. 

 Not less than 1,462 brooks and mountain streams 

 have been counted as dangerous waters in the Alps, 

 the Cevennes, and the Pyrenees mountains; or two- 

 thirds of the torrents of Europe. An area nearly 



