RECENT ITALIAN LAW FOR REBOISEMENT. 379 



cleared of woods on the tops and slopes of mountains to the upper limit 

 of the chestnut zone, and which, from their nature and location, might 

 occasion injury, slides, erosions, avalanches, &c., or that might modify 

 the watercourses, and alter the consistence of the soil, or local hygienic 

 conditions. 



Art. 2. The submission, by reason of public health, shall not be im- 

 posed, excepting in woods actually existing, and according to advice 

 agreed upon by the communal or provincial council interested, and by 

 the provincial sanitary council. 



In all cases, in the provinces where the woods are not subject, under 

 existing laws, to restrictions having reference to the public health the 

 commune or province claiming the application of these restrictions should 

 properly indemnify the proprietors. 



Art. 3. The terms of the present law shall not apply to lands suffi- 

 ciently protected, or held by dikes, nor to those cultivated in vines, 

 olives, and other arborescent plants or fruits. 



Art. 4. It is forbidden to cut off the wood or to clear the lands specified 

 in article 1, notwithstanding which, authority for bringing under cultiva- 

 tion shall be granted in case the proprietor shall employ effectual means 

 approved by the forest committee, and by the provincial sanitary coun- 

 cil, for preventing all damages that might happen. 



Forest-culture and the cutting of woods shall not require previous 

 authorization, ])rovided that the proprietors conform themselves to the 

 rules established by each Ibrest-committee. These rules shall have for 

 their object the maintenance of the soil, the reproduction of forests, and 

 their preservation in cases where the public health is concerned. 



Art. 5. There is established in each province a committee composed 

 of the prefect of the province (who shall act as president), the inspector, 

 or, in his absence, a subinspector of forests, an engineer, appointed by 

 the Minister of Agriculture, Industry, and Commerce, and three members 

 elected by the provincial council. The council of each commune in the 

 province shall nominate a member, who shall take part with a vote in 

 the labors of the committee, but only in what concerns the territory of 

 the commune which he represents. 



The engineer appointed by the ministry, and the members elected to 

 the committee, shall hold their offices for two years, but they shall always 

 be re-eligible. 



Art. 6. Within six months after the publication of the present law, 

 the forest-inspectors shall prepare and present to the forest committee a 

 distinct statement for each commune of the woods and lands subject to 

 the terms of forest laws actually in force, and which ought to be freed 

 from the conditions imposed under the present law. 



The committees atter being assured, if necessary, of the conditions of 

 the case, and hearing the sanitary pro\incial council, as in cases provided 

 for by the second paragraph of article 1, shall decide within six months 

 upon the propositions, and within this time publish them in all the 

 communes of the province. The clearing of forest servitudes becomes 

 absolute fifteen days after the publication of these tables. 



Art. 7. Upon the proposal of the forest administration of communes 

 and provinces, the committee shall proceed to ascertain concerning 

 the lands that may be found within the conditions provided in article 

 1 of the present law in whatever relates to water-courses and the main- 

 tenance of the soil, and as to such as should not be subjected to these 

 regulations. After this determination the committee shall take action 

 upon the proposition. The necessary expenses incurred in the pro- 



