EXPLOITATION. 165 



in question, which is eminently conservative, should become 

 generally popular, for it suppresses one of the most power- 

 ful causes of the disappearance of coppice woods/ 



SECTION E. EXPLOITATION ACCORDING TO ' LA METHODE 



DES COMPARTEMENTS.' 



When we consider what might be accomplished by a 

 judicious exploitation of a forest carried on in accordance 

 with La Methode d, tire et aire, contrasting this with conse- 

 quences which have followed a reckless exploitation by 

 Jardinage, we need not wonder that the famous Ordinance 

 of 1669 should have been welcomed with delight, as it was 

 in many places, by foresters and forest administrators and 

 forest proprietors. But even it did not ultimately produce 

 all the good anticipated from it. In principle it was 

 applicable to timber forests and coppice- woods alike ; but 

 the latter, from the shorter period required for the period 

 of revolution, first made manifest that though it was based 

 upon a sound principle, there were contingencies against 

 which no provision had been made ; and though complete 

 and perfect, so far as it went, it was not a perfect and 

 complete remedy for the evils complained of, or sufficient 

 to prevent the slow but continuous destruction of forests. 

 It was found that frequently the produce of the second 

 series of fellings was not equal to that of the first; and 

 the produce of the third was frequently not equal to that 

 of the second. As a rough and ready method of producing 

 approximately an equalisation between what was pro- 

 duced and what was withdrawn, it was valuable ; and from 

 the middle of the seventeenth century till the close of 

 the eighteenth century it was extensively practised. It is 

 still practised, with a little modification; and in the Ural 

 Mountains, and in the mining district adjacent, it may be 

 seen in operation. 



By Parade it is remarked : ' If this regime had not 

 entirely neglected to occupy itself with the conditions of 

 the natural reproduction of forests, it would have left 



