128 



CORSICA 



TABLE 18 



WORKING PLANS AND CULTURAL METHODS 



Working Plans. The first working plan was made in 1840 

 for the forest of Valdoniello; it provided for a long-term sale, 

 but there were no offers. 



The early plans were in reality mere stand summaries, in- 

 cluding an estimate (often inaccurate) of logs in cubic metres 

 and firewood in steres. A feature of early plans was the final 

 review by the conservator; one plan, it is true, was perfunc- 

 torily approved, but others were reviewed at some length. 

 It seems an excellent plan to require a definite review of the 

 main provisions of a working plan by the conservator rather 

 than a perfunctory signature. The compartment descriptions 

 included data on area, boundaries, slope and aspect, soil, stand 

 by species, age and growth, with descriptive notes on logging 

 routes. An example of a compartment 26 description is given 

 below; it is officially termed " record of reconnaissance." 



Compartment L. Canton Arza. 



f \ f, (Lower story: 60 years. 



Area 20 hectares (40 acres) . Age < __ _ _ 



( Old trees: 150 to 200 years. 



The soil of this compartment is a sandy loam, quite deep. 

 Moreover, because of the dense stand, it is fresh and covered 

 26 Bavella plan of Jan. 6, 1855, pp. 17-18. 



