222 



overcutting continued. In 1661 royal forests were closed to cutting as 

 a "reformation against forest abuse" and in 1662 Colbert started a 

 reconnaissance and stocktaking. Colbert's 16 code of 1669, which above 

 all was "an organic law and one of policing," was the first step that really 

 counted because it became part of the recognized law of the country, 

 and though it was evaded and was modified from time to time, it re- 

 mained a bulwark against forest profligacy. In 1668 definite arrange- 

 ments were made for working plans, which included a check and a map 

 of the boundaries, estimates of timber, descriptions of the soil, species, 

 merchantable sizes, local needs, rotations, and special data on timber 

 suitable for ships. But certain abuses continued even after 1669; poor 

 location of sales, high stumps, waste and failure to reserve sufficient 

 standards. 



The Policy of "Reserves". In French forest management the "re- 

 serve" refers to the growing stock or timber capital held in excess of the 

 stock which would normally be provided by the working plan. The need 

 of reserving a nest egg of timber in communal forests (in excess of the 

 normal growing stock), a policy continued to the present day, is clear 

 when we look back at past improvidence. It was natural to "lean over 

 backwards" and to retain excess growing stocks. And during the war 

 it was fortunate for the allies that these reserves existed, for without 

 them the war shortage would have been more acute. 



Huffel 17 thus summarizes the history of "reserves": "Commenced in 

 the 16th century they then aimed solely at the general welfare," at the 

 expense of the clergy and communes and were therefore ineffective. 

 Reestablished in the 17th century, they aimed at the private and public 

 interest. But during the 18th century, because of poor execution, the 

 so-called reserves impoverished more forests than they enriched. In the 

 19th century the reserves were maintained for the communes and espe- 

 cially for their finances. They were more effective as the administrative 



16 As a matter of fact the wood famine predicted by Colbert never arrived because he 

 based his prediction on an increased demand for cord-wood whereas fuel wood has been 

 replaced by coal, oil and electricity. It is not unlikely that a real world timber famine 

 will never arrive because an acute shortage will bring pressure and lead to substitutes. 

 But from the viewpoint of national efficiency and health forests will become more neces- 

 sary as our civilization and settlement intensifies. It is interesting to compare the 

 gross and net revenue (cited by Huffel, p. 256, Vol. Ill) before and after the Colbert 

 reforms. In 1682 the area of the royal forests was 1,303,834 arpents (about 1.3 million 

 acres). In the years 1660-69, the average gross revenue was 447,623 livres, the aver- 

 age net revenue was 325,699 livres; 1680-89 the average gross revenue was 1,557,363 

 livres, the average net revenue was 1,110,773 livres. 



17 Vol. Ill, pp. 84-85. The history of "fonds de reserve" is from Huffel who is the 

 best author on French forest economics. The French reserve to-day is usually separate 

 from the working group being systematically cut over; it is held for emergencies and 

 cut when required. 



