08 



one-half, of tin- shar.-,, and since that time (1886) the management of these 

 st > has been intrusted to a State forest officer. 



As aliva'lv mentioned, the prevailing trees are spruce and silver fir, the 

 latter being more abundant at lower elevations, while the spruce predominates in 

 the iippei poi ti"ii. With them the beech is associated at all elevations, but in 

 varying proportions, for while in some places it forms a large portion of the 

 growing stock.it is almost absent in others. The Scotch pine is found in the 

 granite region, chielly upon dry, steep, rocky slopes with a southerly aspect, 

 while in (In- sandstone region it occurs almost everywhere, sometimes scattered, 

 and in other places forming an essential element of the growing stock. A remark- 

 able feature here is the occurrence of mixed forest of Scotch pine and silver fir. 

 the latter forming a kind of high underwood under the former. 



Although these forests present great variety of soil and other conditions, yet 

 uuoii the whole it maybe said that in places the growth of the species mentioned 

 is magnificent. 



The three conifers attain a height of from 40 to 45 metres, the stems carry 

 their girth well up to a great height, and are, as a rule, regularly shaped. Seed 

 3 7 ears occur frequently, and the reproduction is generally very good. A marked 

 difference is, however, noticeable, especially at lower elevations, between slopes 

 with a southerly and northerly aspect, the latter showing much better growth 

 and more abundant reproduction The disease most frequently observed consists 

 of the irregular swellings on the stem of the silver fir, commonly known under the 

 name of cancer. Considering the enormous area of unbroken forest, on both 

 sides of the Murg Valley, chiefly composed of conifers, it is remarkable how 

 little damage by insects takes place. Storms and snows do some damage, but 

 upon the whole it is insignificant. At times the pressure of the masses ot snow 

 is so heavy that large trees are bent down gradually and uprooted. There are not 

 many species of subordinate importance, and those which occur are scarce upon 

 the whole. Along the valley from Gernsbach to Forbach, and even higher up r 

 the oak forms a fringe at the lower edge of the forest, and a few oak trees are 

 seen scattered over the whole granite region. The hornbeam is found here and 

 there, associated with the beech, and single specimens of the sycamore are now 

 and then met with. On peat soil at high elevations, and on the top of the two 

 chief hill ranges, a considerable area is stocked with the mountain pine, and in 

 such places the birch is also common. 



Of shrubs there is no great variety. It may be justly said that the forest is 

 everywhere too dense and too well stocked for much subordinate vegetation. In 

 old and dense forests, where there is not sufficient light for the young growth to 

 come up, the ground is frequently covered with vaccinium, brambles are almost 

 absent, and the wild raspberry is scarce. 



From time immemorial these forests have been treated on the system of 

 selection fellings (jardinage), and this system is still followed in the two Forbach 

 ranges. Here, therefore, the character of the forest is extremely varied, trees 

 of all ages standing on the ground together. Formerly, the practice was to select 

 the finest and most accessible trees for felling. In this respect a great change 

 for the better has now taken place, for the aim at present is to cut out all 

 unsound and badly-shaped trees first, so as to leave more room for the young 

 growth and the more vigorous trees A rational treatment of forest on the 

 selection system cannot easily be brought under precise rules ; the manager must 

 consider the requirements of each plot separately, and this is being done at 

 present in these forests. 





