156 CORSICA 



Grazing. — Since grazing in federal forests is forbidden by- 

 law there are no restrictions as to methods of handUng, such 

 as have been formulated, tried out, and proven of value in the 

 western United States. Under the conditions which exist in 

 Corsica, where the livehhood of so many depends on the products 

 of goats, sheep, cattle, and pigs, special laws recognizing the 

 necessity for restricted grazing would have given better results 

 than the present system of allowing the entry of stock sub 

 rosa. 



Official records place the number of animals using the com- 

 munal mountain forests and grazing grounds above timber 

 line (June 15 to September 15) at 31,000 horses, 62,700 cattle, 

 198,000 sheep, and 197,600 goats. It is apparent from these 

 figures, that the industry must be reckoned with. The present 

 trespass is committed when crossing forests in going to and 

 from these mountain pastures, but the crossing is merely a 

 flimsy pretext for pasturing excluded areas. 



Below the Corsican pine belt grazing is yearlong. The usual 

 rates (paid as a communal tax) are as follows: Horses and 

 cattle, I to 2 francs ($0.19 to $0.38) per year; sheep, o.io to 

 0.25 franc ($0.02 to $0.05); goats 0.25 to i franc ($0.05 to $0.19); 

 pigs (very much like the ''razorbacks" of the Appalachians) 

 only from November i to March i, i to 2 francs ($0.19 to $0.38). 



However, a gradual improvement is taking place. There 

 are now better roads and good boat service from France, and 

 drainage of swamp lands is receiving public attention.^* But 

 even now, the grazing methods are essentially primitive. Both 

 goats and sheep are grazed on an estimated area of pasturage 

 and fields of 57,646 hectares (142,433 acres). Considering the 

 amount of stock grazed, it is clear that this open area is not 

 sufficient. The forests must be pastured, if stock is to be main- 

 tained in good condition; according to recent figures, the fol- 

 lowing must be provided for: 260,000 sheep, 180,000 goats, 

 69,000 cattle, 28,300 horses and mules, 84,000 hogs, making 

 a grand total of 621,300. 



«"• Le Regime Pastoral de la Corse. Societe Forestiere de Franche Comte et 

 Belfort, XI, 8, pp. 600-613. 



