Vi TKANSLATOES' PEEFACE. 



habits, are hard unalterable facts, data supplied by 

 Nature. What is the best treatment for each of 

 those trees ? This question has been fully resolved 

 by close, skilful and practical observers. Is a study 

 of their answers and the processes by which these 

 answers have been arrived at quite unprofitable ? 

 In a word, this work written only for the benefit of 

 French foresters, contains not only the fundamental 

 principles of Sylviculture, which remain true at all 

 times and in all places, but also sound applications 

 of these principles in special cases, which cannot 

 fail to possess both interest and utility for their 

 professional brethren in other climes. 



We do not, however, wish our meaning to be mis- 

 construed, and for this reason it is well to speak out 

 plainly. The method of natural reproduction by 

 seed is the backbone of modern French forestry, as 

 indeed will be gathered to some extent from a 

 perusal of the present publication, and those who 

 would see for themselves to what perfection the 

 method may be brought under a favourable climate 

 and with enlightened supervision, have only to pay 

 a visit to the more important State forests in France. 



The State forests in that country have now been 

 worked on some sort of a regular system for nearly 

 200 years, and during the last fifty years of this 

 period the special wants and habits of forest trees 

 have been made the subject of patient and intelligent 



