212 France. 



For the education of the lower grades an imperial 

 rescript ordered the establishment of several schools, 

 which were, however, never organized. In 1863 were 

 proposed and in 1868 opened four schools, where efficient 

 forest guards were to secure some knowledge that would 

 assist them to advancement; three of these schools per- 

 sisted until 1883. In 1873 an additional school for silvi- 

 culture for the education of underforesters was organ- 

 ized at Barres-Vilmorin, where annually six students 

 are permitted to enter. This institution has persisted to 

 date. 



Until recently these schools were open only to candi- 

 dates for government service. 



The French forestry literature has never been prolific, 

 and to this day occupies still a limited amount of shelf 

 room. The first book on record is a translation of the 

 well known volume of the Italian, Peter de Crescentiis, 

 1486. In the 16th century we have reference to an ency- 

 clopaedic volume, probably similar to the German Haus- 

 vater, by Oliver de Serres, Theatre d' Agriculture et 

 Mesnage des Champs, in which a chapter is devoted to 

 the forests. During the 18th century we have a number 

 of high class writings, not by foresters, but by savants or 

 students of natural history; the names of Eeaumur, 

 Miiiftbeaux,Duhamel and Buffon appearing with memoirs 

 transmitted to the Academy of France, the highest liter- 

 ary and scientific body of men, on subjects relating to 

 forestry. Eeaumur in 1721 recommended the conversion 

 of coppice forests into timber forests by a system of 

 thinnings, but it is evident that his words were not heard 

 beyond the Academy. Duhamel in 1755 repeats the 



