BROAD AIMS OF FRENCH REGULATION POLICY 215 



evolution of a regular stand from the pole stage to maturity is shown in 

 graphic No. 10. 



No. 7 shows the progress of a forest toward the normal state. It is a 

 forest which was formerly poor but which is becoming more valuable, 

 owing to the conservative fellings. The curves show that presently it 

 will be more nearly normal. At the first stocktaking the stand was open; 

 trees of all diameters developed freely, but now the stand is well stocked 

 and the young trees have ceased to increase in number, either (a) being 

 eliminated or (6) after a successful struggle for existence have reached 

 higher diameter classes. The curve of the third stocktaking is approach- 

 ing the normal by a sort of wave movement very characteristic in a 

 forest conservatively managed. 



No. 8 represents a forest in poor condition and where the yield is low. 

 The old trees continue to accumulate and the density of this old excess 

 growing stock is damaging the young growth, which is very deficient. 



No. 9 shows a compartment where, despite the conservative treatment 

 and contrary to all prearranged plans, the volume has decreased from 

 AtoB. 



REGULATION OF CUTTING 



Broad Aims of French Regulation Policy. — The aim and objective 

 of practically all forest legislation during two or three centuries culmina- 

 ting in the revised forest code of 1827 was to prevent the destruction, 

 diminution, and impoverishment of French public forests in quantity and 

 in quality. The success of this legislation depended largely on the press- 

 ure for timber or for the capital it represented. The demand was natur- 

 ally greatest (1) near the large towns, Hke Paris, which were the commercial 

 timber centers, and (2) during times of stress, when families and govern- 

 ments needed the raw product or money. 



Working plans,^^ or management plans as they are sometimes called, to 

 enforce a wise use of forests, were finally required by law simply because 

 it was found that systematic forest production with a sustained yield 

 could not be obtained without them. Forest history has proved that 

 even the trained forester cannot be trusted not to overcut unless he is 

 systematically guided and controlled by a working plan that prescribes 

 the maximum amount to be cut. And after centuries of practice the 

 French consider a sustained yield for each forest and working group 

 essential for the following reasons: 



'2 Huffel says (in a footnote, p. L5, Vol. Ill): "Out of 504 forests or working groups 

 . . . in Meurthe-et-Moselle, there are 230 . . . antedating the forest code 

 of 1827, 187 .. . prior to 1789, and 15 . . . prior to 1860, the oldest dating 

 from 1726." 



