OTHER FOREST ACTIVITIES 159 



In the forest of Aitone distances from the forest house were 

 painted on rocks. For example f means 2 kilometres 300 metres 

 (i mile 755 yards). 



A favorite system of preventing erosion on steep trails is 

 to place a row of flat rocks 7.7 or 10.2 cm. (3 or 4 inches) wide 

 angularly across the trail with a very slight depression behind. 



There seems to be no standard method of painting compart- 

 ment letters; usually they are on a tree trunk after the bark 

 has been smoothed. Occasionally one sees the lettering on 

 rocks. The background is usually battleship grey with black 

 letters, or white with black or red letters. 



Uses. As compared with the liberality of the United States 

 federal leasing system the forests of Corsica are practically 

 closed to use. Road rights-of-way, it is true, are readily granted 

 as in France, but the alignment must always be made by the 

 forest officer. The only uses granted are those which arise 

 in connection with the disposal of timber, and, with the ex- 

 ception of sawmills, no formal permits were noted. Yet the 

 utmost precaution is taken to see that roads, trails, or bridges 

 constructed by contractors are built so as to permanently 

 better communication. After the use by the purchaser all 

 road, trail, and bridge improvements become the property of 

 the commune or government. The quality of the construction 

 work is carefully supervised, and it is only under exceptional 

 circumstances that contractors are allowed to build wooden 

 bridges; cement pillars at least would be required. 



Before the issuance of a permit to install a sawmill, the fol- 

 lowing procedure must be adhered to: A written request from 

 the permittee, a report by the forest officer, including a location 

 map; approval by inspector and conservator. The usual 

 special clauses 67 required are as follows: 



1. The authorization will terminate March i, 1914. 



2. It is granted free. 



3. The areas will be designated by the local Waters and 

 Forests agent. 



4. The contractor must cover the smokestacks with a 



67 Decision No. 3965, July 25, 1912, conservator's office records. 



