SCHOOLS OF FORESTRY. 



629 



the fir-forests of the Vosges and Jura, and the region of reboisement and sodding in 

 the Alps. 



August: Preparation and sending of a personal memoir upon this forest journey ; ex- 

 amination. 

 [The programme of instruction, embracing a classified statement of the points upon 



which knowledge is required at this forest school, as published in 1876, fills 116 quarto 



pages.] 



Attendance at the School of Forestry at Nancy. 



Where two numbers are given with a plus sign between, the first shows the number 

 of regular promotions In the service, and the second the number in the "civil list." 

 We are indebted to Prof. A. Mathieu, sub r'irector and professor of Natural History, for 

 documents and other information concerning this institution. 



The forests connected with this school, in the department of Menrthe and Moselle, 

 embrace 9,259 acres belonging to the state, and 4,205 to communes; in all, 3.3,244 acres. 



School of Forest Guards at Barres. — In 1865, M. Yicaire, then director- 

 general of forests, conceived the idea of purchasing the property of 

 Barres, where M. Vilmorin, an eminent arboriculturist, had formed, as 

 early as 1821, some plantations of exotic trees, from seeds received of 

 correspondents. This having attracted the attention of the Central 

 Society of Agriculture, the purchase was made in June, 1856, after the 

 death of M. Vilmorin, and included the chateau and other buildings, 

 with 166J acres of land, at a price of 75,000 francs. It is about 11 miles 

 south of Montargis, and three fourths of a mile from the station of 

 Nogent-sur Vernisson. One of the conditions imposed by the vendors 

 was, that it should be known as the " Vilmorin Establishment for Prac- 

 tical Arboriculture.'^ Towards the close of 1866, M. Gouet, then sub- 

 inspector of forests, was appointed to take charge of the existing col- 

 lections, and continue the work of naturalization then begun. The nur- 

 series were enlarged, and various improvements made.^ 



' In 1869 the plan of usefulness was enlarged, and the establishment now embraces — 



1. A School of Guards. 



2. The central repository and station for trial of forest-seeds. 



8. Station for meteorological observations, and for determining the resistance of 

 woods, 



4. The central nurseries and naturalization station. 



5. Massive growths of exotic trees. 



The school is intended for practical instruction in sylviculture as a preparation for 

 the duties of forest-guards. Besides the use and care of arms, and the discipline proper 

 in such an institution, the pupils are subjected to a theoretical course, and to practical 

 exercises, the former including orthography, writing, drawing, arithmetic, botany, and 

 the elements of sylviculture ; and the latter the care of woodlands and nurseries, and 

 various forest operations, as well upon the estate as in neighboring forests, with some 

 knowledge of forest law and administration. The school is supplied with collections 

 of specimens of wood and seeds, a forestal library, instruments, and models, and in 

 short with whatever may tend to promote an intercHt in study and a habit of observa- 

 tion. New arrangements are in progress which will bring the number of pupils in the 

 two classes up to eighty. They must show sufficient acquaintance with primary studies 

 at time of entering. 



