346 EEBOISEMENT IN FRANCE. 



There is, moreover, a mode of sowing, known as sowing on the snow, 

 which has several times been employed successfully, and which will 

 facilitate the stocking of large surfaces at the small outlay of from 25 

 to 30 francs per hectare. 



Sowings of larch-seed on the snow have several times succeeded in 

 the Hautes-Alpes and in the Basses-Al2)es, and it is proposed to make 

 similar experiments in these districts with other seeds. 



When the ordinary mode of sowing is employed it is advantageous 

 to sow early, that is, at the beginning of spring, so as to avoid the too 

 sudden effects of the summer heat. 



Sowing by means of pockets has appeared most suitable for clothing 

 uneven surfaces or friable soil. The quantity of seed to be used is 

 calculated, on an average, at 3 hectoliters of mast per hectare, at G or 8 

 kilograms of Scotch fir or other similar seed, and at 6 kilograms of 

 larch. This quantity might be doubled when the sowing is douo in 

 strips. These quantities are, besides, essentially variable, according to 

 circumstances and locality. 



Kemarks. — The administration thinks it proper to recommend the sowing of seed 

 npon the snows. Although its succees has not yet been tested in a snfficient number of 

 places, there in sufficient reason to employ it with different kinds of seeds, and in dif- 

 ferent pLices, where it may be likely to succeed. It is not necessary to enlarge on the 

 advantages of so simple and economical a mode of restocking. 



On volcanic soil, covered with scanty heath, good results have been obtained by 

 sowing broadcast, without any further preparation than a simple digging the surface 

 herbage up, and burning off, where the long thistle-heath hinders the seed from reach- 

 ing the ground. 



The necessity for early sowing cannot be too much insisted on ; in March, for example, 

 when they can profit by a few fine days, often very soon followed by snow and rain:. 

 Germination then takes place under favorable conditions, and the young plant is able 

 to resist the great heat which would have killed it if the sowing had been deferred 

 until the last snow had melted. 



It is desirable to form artificial shelter wherever it is possible. When 

 planting is the mode chosen, the season selected is not the same in every 

 district. Opinions are not agreed on this point. In Provence it has 

 appeared that, almost invariably, planting in autumn is to be preferred, 

 because of the early season of the droughts, and on account of the scarcity 

 of workmen, who are resuming their agricultural employments. 



The age at which plants should be u.sed is very variable. In the high 

 regions of the Dr5me and the Is6re, it has been remarked that plants 

 should be strong in proportion to the elevation of the district. It is 

 good at such points only to plant trees which are four or five years old 

 at the least. 



The quantity of plants per hectare is necessarily variable. Only 

 strictly local indications can be given on this point. The expense of the 

 stocking per hectare has not yet received a sufBciently approximate cal- 

 culation. Experience alone can furnish the data necessary. 



Several employes have considered the question whether the mode of 

 working by contract might not be advantageous and economical for the 

 preparation of the soil ; without being quite decided, they are inclined 

 to think that this mode of proceeding may be useful. 



Remarks. — It does not appear that there are as yet sufficient grounds for throwing 

 open the operations to private speculation. It is only after they have been carried on 

 economically, that it will be advisable to substitute contract for government man- 

 agement. 



A scarcity of workmen in certain districts, and especially in the Alps, 

 has engaged the attention of the agents, who have expressed a wish 

 that the administration would interfere and obtain from the minister 



