ALGERIA 7 



of summer, resist the heat better if they are uncovered than they 

 do if they are growing in the midst of brush. I think that this 

 phenomenon is due to the freshness caused by proper aeration." 

 The air circulates better and the plants survive when, otherwise, 

 they would succumb to the heat. 



The systematic routine methods of forestation are worthy of 

 study by all American State and Federal forest officers who 

 must cope with arid and difficult sites. Notable plantations 

 have been established at Constantine, Algiers, Orleansville, and 

 Oran. Local species gave the best success, sown in seed spots 

 or grown in essentially local nurseries. The cost of these plan- 

 tations has been in the neighborhood of 45 to 63 francs ($8 to 

 $12) per acre, and success was only attained after repeatedly 

 stocking areas which had shown initial failure. 



Even with stringent fire lines, conscription of fire fighters, and 

 forced cooperation of the civil authorities, and with the concen- 

 tration of improvement work during the most dangerous part of 

 the fire season (so as to furnish fire fighters in out-of-the-way 

 parts) protection has not been altogether successful. Recently, 

 boundary, secondary, and main fire lines have been constructed 

 at considerable expense. Notwithstanding the clearance of these 

 lines every three years, fires continue. In the technique of fire-line 

 construction, progress has been made, but it appears that instead 

 of clearing lines every three years it would be preferable to clear 

 one-third of all lines, except those less than 15 metres (16 yards) in 

 width, every third year, so that a portion of the line would always 

 be clear of grass and debris. For permanent fire lines, they have 

 unquestionably determined that it is cheaper in the long run to 

 grub brush and trees out by the roots rather than to have the 

 increased annual expense of cutting down shoots and root suckers. 

 The conclusion may be formed, however, that fairly narrow lines 

 along ridges or dry arroyos are of unquestionable value, both as 

 a means of communication and as a vantage point from which 

 to fight fires, notwithstanding the disastrous results from indis- 

 criminate back firing. As in Tunisia, the administration is 

 simple, economical, efficient, and is a credit to France. 



