342 REBOISEMENT IN FRANCE. 



Those employed have inquired if they may not continue to proceed in 

 the same way wherever it is possible. Government will thus possess an 

 additional means of carrying on mount^iin reboisements. 



Remarks. — The law of July 28, 1860, has not abrogated any of the enactments of 

 the Forest Code, and there is nothing to hinder article 'JO from being applied wherever 

 the means of reboisement can be advantageously employed. 



The agents employed have usually agreed upon the best way of find- 

 ing out where compulsory reboisements ought to be effected. For ex- 

 ample, suppose a river, resembling a torrent like the Durance, the flow 

 of which it is necessary to restrain ; the first thing done is to study the 

 whole basin, beginning at the source of the stream, attentively following 

 its course, either on the spot or on a map furnishing sufficient details of 

 the principal and secondary tribntaries,and, after this preliminary study, 

 operations are projected at different points in the basin in the order of 

 urgency. They have proceeded in this way in the Basses- Alpes, in the 

 Hautes-Alpes in la Drome, where all the operations, either projected or 

 in course of execution, aim at regulating the flow of the Durance and 

 its tributaries, such as the JJhage, the Bleone, the Asse, the Buecl ; in 

 la Drome, VAigue, F Olivers, and le Bez. 



Remarks. — It is necessary to concentrate operations in reboisement where they are 

 only sanctioned ; it is still more important where they are declared to be of public 

 utility. Isolated observations should not be made, but all should be connected with a 

 plan of operations converging to the same end. It is very essential to demonstrate by 

 facts, the advantages of these operations. It is necessary, where the examination of a 

 given area is determined upon, that it should be pursued through all parts of the area 

 where the rush of water is to be restrained, so that when it is finished the proof of 

 effect should be conclusive. 



A question has been raised as to the relative importance of reboisement 

 and gazonnement for the consolidation of the soil^ and the creation of 

 obstacles to the sudden overflow of streams. Several engineers, es- 

 pecially in the Alps, appear disposed to think that gazonnement is often 

 the most suitable means of attaining the proposed end. Other experts 

 are of the opinion that if in certain cases gazonnement may appear 

 enough, reboisement will move slowly, but more completely and durably 

 effect a result. 



Remarks. — There appears to be attributed to gazonnement, especially in the Hautes- 

 Alpes, in I'Isbre, and in la Drome, a power almost as great as that of reboisement for 

 resisting torrents. This is a little exaggeration. The administration does not deny 

 the utility of restoring the turf, but works of this kind should be undertaken on the 

 vast bare surfaces which extend above the region of forest vegeration. Executed 

 simultaneously with planting, they give powerful aid in hindering the rush of torrents 

 into the valleys. In order to seek this result by a double means, the administration has 

 promoted the formation of a higher commission for the simultaneous execution of the 

 two laws on reboisement and reclaiming of waste communal lands. But everywhere 

 where planting is practicable, the latter seems^ to promise to be the most efficacious 

 means. The employ6s are mistaken if they think themselves obliged everywhere to 

 propose immediate reboisement with valuable trees. When the soil is nearly exhausted, 

 and requires to be renewed before being fit for the production of forest trees, it should 

 be planted with bushes or hardy shrubs, such as grow here and there on the barest part 

 of the mountains. This work is included in the category of planting, properly, so called, 

 and constitutes a real reboisement. The circular No. 806 contains on this point, pages 

 7, 8, all the necessary hints. According to this circular the examination of ground for 

 compulsory reboisement should include grounds to be reboised, either with permanent 

 trees, or with preparatory plantations, and grounds on which it is necessary to carry 

 out works oi gazonnement. 



The replenishing with woods may be effected through the operation of the law for 

 bringing in the waste communal lands. These undertakings should furnish all neces- 

 sary hints ; and those of them which include operations belonging to both categories 

 will be handed over to the high commission appointe'd by the decree of November 7, 

 1861. 



