SERVITUDES AND USE OF MINOR PRODUCTS 277 



(1) The appropriations for experiments of all kinds have always been 

 meagre; (2) under the favorable climatic conditions usually prevailing 

 in the rich forest regions there is not the same danger and damage as in 

 countries like Germany; (3) with natural regeneration on such an 

 extensive scale, ordinary damage is usually discounted by having such 

 a bountiful oversupply of seedlings or saplings. The protection of 

 forests against trespass is discussed in this chapter under " Legislation." 

 Forest trespass in such an old established forest region as France is natu- 

 rally well controlled, but the general principle has been evolved that the 

 good will of the neighboring population is much better than repressive 

 measures and very complex inspection control. French measures for 

 protecting forests from damage have most value to the American forester 

 practicing under intensive market conditions. 



Damage from Logging. 17 The best time for logging broadleaves is in 

 the late winter and operations in coppice are suspended in France pend- 

 ing the two months following the rising of the sap, since at that time 

 young trees are easily injured. It is current practice to cut the branches 

 off large trees when they must be felled into reproduction, but this prac- 

 tice may be abandoned because of expense and lack of skilled labor. 

 It has been found better to cut the lower branches first. In a fir forest 

 it is considered better to cut the stem into fairly short lengths, since 

 the dragging of long logs is the cause of most of the damage in the Vosges 

 and the Jura. Thinnings in hardwood forests are made in the sum- 

 mer so far as practicable in order to discourage sprouting. Sliding and 

 dragging logs on erodable ground should be kept at a minimum. As a 

 rule, hardwood high forests suffer less damage from lumbering operations 

 than do resinous ones, but the damage is almost always proportional to 

 the length and weight of the stems removed. 



Servitudes and the Use of Minor Products. A necessary evil in 

 many forests (see p. 261, "Legislation") is the free use or sale of dead 

 wood, dead stumps, brush, litter, leaves, grass seed, mushrooms, plants 

 of various kinds, stone, sand, heather, or peat. Such material is often 

 given for a few days' work or sold, or the local peasants may have cer- 

 tain rights (or servitudes). While there is real need for certain of these 

 minor products, the use is often abused and frequently results in damage 

 to the forest. The dead wood and leaves make valuable humus and 

 even the removal of dead branches is often deleterious. Even grass is 

 sometimes needed to protect reproduction (see p. 68), and the removal 

 of moss often means the trampling and damage of seedlings. Seed 

 collection obviously reduces the seed supply if not properly restricted, 

 and if it is not carefully supervised results in damage. Such an inno- 

 cent pastime as gathering wild strawberries has often resulted in damage 

 17 See La Foret, pp. 260-305. 



