244 GOVERNMENT REGULATION AND WORKING PLANS 



munal forests is that in communal forests the cut has to be divided up 

 so that each village will not have too far to go. In other words, this 

 is a potent reason for small sales. For example, in the forest of Dingy 

 St. Clair, the annual cut has to be divided up so that there will be one 

 sale near each village. The forest is on each side of a valley and it 

 would be too costly to have one or two central sales, since the transport 

 of the wood would have to be across the valley. This is an inconvenience 

 to the working plans officer since it complicates the sales problem. 



Before attempting a new working plan it has been the French custom 

 to have a frank discussion of the essential problems with the local force 

 before the working plans officer makes his final decision. At this con- 

 ference it is entirely feasible for the local officers in charge to emphasize 

 exceptions from the general rule. Once formulated the plan must be 

 accepted by a commune. 



Each ranger in charge of a district is furnished with a digest of the 

 working plan.*^ The main points covered in this digest are the order, 

 location and area of fellings during the period. The exact data in- 

 cluded are rotation, yield and what should be charged against the annual 

 felling budget; volume felHngs with the canton, compartment, area, total 

 volume, and estimated amount to be cut designated for each separate 

 felling; area fellings with year, canton, compartment, and area of felling 

 classified by compartment. Under remarks is included the method of 

 treatment, such as selection fellings, special instructions regarding the 

 fellings, cultural rules given separately for volume and area cuttings. 

 The data are precisely presented, and cover rather more than a double 

 page. 



In past years the inventory frequently included only trees of consider- 

 able size. To-day it usually includes trees down as small as 0.20 meter 

 (7.9 inches) in diameter by 5-centimeter (2-inch) classes. In other 

 words, all trees were measured in the valuation survey down to the 

 estimated diameter which would be reached in one-third the years of the 

 rotation. The general feeling is that this very complete inventory is 

 exceedingly valuable for the sake of future comparisons. 



Schaeffer ^* has originated new methods of working plan description. 

 In describing the fertility of the soil he argues that "figures are better 

 than epithets." Recognizing the inaccuracy of describing soil quality, 

 Schaeffer has established this simple rule: 



« The working plans in France are rarely typewritten but are copied by hand. Copy- 

 ing costs 75 centimes per double foolscap page and one franc for tables, an ordinary 

 map 5 francs per copy. Four copies must be made of each working plan — one copy 

 for Paris, one for the conservator, one for the inspector, and one for the local ranger. 



« A. Schaeffer, S. F. de F. C. et B., No. 5. March. 1910, "Coefficients de Fertilite 

 des Sols." 



