350 EEBOISEMENT IN FRANCE. 



I>iscnss the clioicc of trees, the fitness of each mode of sowing [in rows, 

 holes, open bed, dx.), the qiiantities of seed to he used per hectare, the fit 

 season for carrying on the works, the expense of the tcorlc per hectare, &c. — 

 The agents at Clermont reckoned that in the central region, wherever 

 the climate is mild and the altitude a medium one (800 meters and 

 under), the oak and chestnut should be employed in preference to every 

 other tree, and if the soil is of poor quality, the resinous trees, the 

 acacia and ailanthus. 



In the regions where the climate is more serereand the altitude greater, 

 recourse should be had to the Scotch fir, the Austrian pine, theCorsican 

 pine, the mountain pine, the Norway fir, and the larch. The Atlas cedar, 

 the larch, and the Siberian cedar can be used for the greatest heights. 

 No tree, except perhaps the fir tree and the beech, ought to be rejected 

 in so far as the sowings are made in loco. The least costly and most 

 simple method of sowing, practiced for a long time in the Puy-de-D6me, 

 is sowing at random on short heath, or after cutting up with spades and 

 burning, if the heath is too high. But this system is not practicable 

 everywhere. The method of sowing most usually employed is in rows, 

 or in holes dug according to circumstances. In both cases much distur- 

 bance of the soil is to be avoided. 



The quantities of seed necessary are, for the oak and chestnut, 6 to 10 

 double decaliters (1.28 to 2.14 gallons to the acre); for resinous seeds of 

 small size, 10 to 12 kilograms (8.8 to 10.7 pounds to the acre) on ordinary 

 land, and a third more if the conditions are unfavorable. For the 

 Austrian pine, 12 to 15 kilograms (10.7 to 14.3 pounds per acre). For 

 the maritime pine, 20 to 25 kilograms. The most favorable time for 

 sowing should be as early as possible in February or March. The cost 

 of hand-labor is, for sowing in bands, 30 to 35 francs per hectare ; and 

 for sowing in holes, 25 to 30. Reforesting in resinous seeds costs on 

 an average in central regions 70 to 80 francs per hectare. 



At Foix the members were of opinion that the choice of trees depend- 

 ing essentially on the nature of the land, and on its exposure and alti- 

 tude, no decisive rule can be given under this head. At the same time 

 it may be concluded, that in elevated regions there will be used'with 

 success the Norway fir, the larch, and the black Austrian pine; in the 

 regions of middle altitude the pine, the Norway fir, the beech, and the 

 pine and beech together, and in lower regions broad-leaved trees in 

 general, the chestnut, the green oak, the ash, and the ailanthus. 



The method of sowing in holes seems to be most advantageous. The 

 quantity of seed to be used is from 10 to 15 kilograms per hectare. 

 Spring is generally the best season for sowing, especially for resinous 

 seeds. The expense can be approximately and in a general way rei)orted 

 at 100 francs per hectare— i e., CO francs for hand-labor, 36 for seeds, 

 and 4 for unforeseen expenses. 



At Carpentras the agents estimated that for sowings, the trees to be 

 preferred are generally the same as those pointed out for planting, with 

 the additions of the Corsican pine, the cedar, the Aleppo pine, and the 

 shrubs intended for the preparation of certain soils, or for preventing 

 the erosion of hill-sides, such as the argoussier, the amelanshier, the 

 barberry, the juniper, &c. In I'Ardeche the sowings of Norway fir db 

 not offer sufficient chances of success. Sowing by bands is preferable 

 whenever it can be employed, but it has the inconvenience of loosening 

 the soil too much on the slopes, the method of sowing in holes will be 

 more generally employed. Complete or full sowing is the only method 

 possible on rocks, on ground difficult of access, stony parts and vol- 

 canic scorice. The quantity of seed to be employed per hectare, is from 



