204 France. 



had reached 1,750,000 acres are 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 conifer- 

 ous forest (mainly pine), largely planted by private 

 incentive, are in existence. 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 never for more than $4.00 per acre, is to-day 

 worth $40.00 at a cost for planting of less than $10,00. 

 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 its territory 

 the largest proportion 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 1,000,000 acres in extent of mountain slopes 

 is exposed to the ravages of these waters by erosion. 



Here the most forcible demonstration of the value of 

 a forest cover in protecting watersheds was furnished by 

 the results of the extensive forest destruction and de- 

 vastation which took place during and following the 

 years of the Revolution. 



Long ago, in the 16th century, the local parliaments 

 had enacted decrees against clearing in the mountains, 

 with severe fines, confiscation and even corporal punish- 

 ment, but during the Eevolutionary period all these 



