WAR LUMBERING IN FRANCE 



393 



logging conditions quite similar to those in the Adiron- 

 dack Mountains to the maritime forests, almost identi- 

 cal to the pine found in southern Georgia. 



The maritime pine forests in France cover approxi- 

 mately 2,500,000 acres and contain about 130,000,000 

 trees. The stand varies from approximately 6,000 to 

 15,000 feet, board measure, per acre. While there are 

 some very large blocks of solid timber it is against the 

 custom of the country to allow the cutting of great single 

 areas, particularly for the reason that the peasantry in the 

 maritime pine section are practically dependent upon the 

 resin industry. Consequently, while there is quite a bit 

 of timber available for American exploitation, it is meted 

 out, as a general rule, in small parcelles, necessitating the 

 installation of portable ground mills. The American 

 forestry troops in the pine country here, are cutting, be- 

 sides lumber, a great quantity of round timbers, ties, 

 trench props and wire entanglement stakes. There is 

 absolutely no waste, for all slabs and limbs are cut into 

 fuel wood. 



There was a popular idea expressed by lumbermen in 

 America before the departure of the first forestry bat- 

 talions, that the cost to the Government to produce lum- 

 ber with the engineer troops in France would be tremen- 

 dous. Several wiseacres went so far as to predict the 

 approximate cost and the writer heard a very well-known 



more than satisfactorily realized. When the war 

 is over, there will be returned to the lumber in- 

 dustry of America approximately 20,000 men who 

 are, through their training and experience over here, 

 the last word in logging and lumbering efficiency. 



A FAMILIAR SIGHT IN A STRANGE LAND 



In use on an operation of the 20th, these "big wheels" look like they 

 might be busy in the piney woods of our own Southland instead of in 

 sunny France. 



American lumberman say, last summer, that it would 

 cost the Government $200 to $300 per thousand to pro- 

 duce lumber in France. As a matter of cold hard fact 

 it is a well-established point here now, that the forestry- 

 units of the United States Government are a remarkably 

 good investment. The primary purpose of rapid produc- 

 tion to meet immediate needs in the most economical 

 manner by sending the men to France has been much 



Committee on Public Information 



AN AMERICAN OFFICER BEFORE HIS DUGOUT 

 This village in France was under fire at the time tin; picture was taken. 



The condition of the troops are nearly perfect, every- 

 thing that could be desired. The men are either housed 

 or are quartered in tents floored and walled with lumber. 

 They are well-equipped with proper clothing and effects. 

 Each camp has shower baths. The large size appetite 

 that accumulates in a lumber camp is very satisfactorily 

 treated three times a day with good, substantial, clean 

 and well cooked food. 



Then there is the Y. M. C. A. with the attendant con- 

 venience and comforts afforded by this institution to 

 counteract the "blues" the canteen for tobacco and 

 sweets ; books, magazines, free stationery, etc. There is 

 always great interest in the athletic contests conducted 

 by the "Y," in baseball, track, tennis, etc. 



Besides the music by the various battalion and regi- 

 mental bands, numerous vocal and instrumental musi- 

 cians, American, French, English and Italian, some of 

 whom have attained opera fame, appear at regular in- 



