504 APPENDIX 



We cannot satisfactorily explain how, in a period of 28 years, while the average 

 volume per hectare remains sensibly the same, the annual growth per hectare could 

 reach 10.13 m. c. during the first 13 years considered, while it is put at 5.47 m. c. during 

 the last 15 years, the per cent falling similarly from 2.6 to 1.4; the vegatative conditions 

 having remained the same and the yield adopted having always been very moderate 

 (from 1.5 to 2 per cent of the growing stock enumerated). It seems that differences so 

 marked and so abnormal must be attributed to inaccuracies in the enumerations of 1896 

 taken as a basis for discussion. Moreover in a forest at quite a high altitude, such as 

 that we are discussing (average of 1,000 meters), where the climate is severe, it seems 

 difficult to admit, as the author of the 1897 working plan has done, that the average 

 annual increment per hectare could be 10 m. c. and continue thus indefinitely. Such 

 a growth is found actually at Levier and at La Joux but these two forests, situated at a 

 lower altitude (average of 380 m.) and in a materially milder climate, show stands 

 which are not comparable to those of the Grande Cote. On the plea of maintaining 

 the timber capital at as high a rate of production as possible, it does not do to merely 

 cut the mature timber and to l)elieve, as written in the working plan of 1897 (p. 35), 

 that a forest, such as Levier, only depreciates its per cent of production by making 

 sacrifices to mature timber and that the production of the Grande Cote is raised because 

 it contains average sized trees. It is very laudable to try to obtain the maximum yield 

 and usually it is absolutely necessary to reaUze the mature timber, but is it not most 

 important to make sure the forests are perpetuated? 



The factors which have an influence on the production of wood are extremely numer- 

 ous; even if they are more or less known to us, yet we are still in doubt about many 

 of them, as to what is the actual action and effective part of each in a phenomenon so 

 complicated as that of the growth of wood and of the life history of a forest stand. 



Therefore, putting aside the systematic theories which often may hide the forest as 

 it is, we feel we will have fulfilled our task, if, adopting the main provisions of the work- 

 ing plan in force (in order to avoid those disorders which may compromise the benefits 

 of a revision) and without any preconceived idea, we will succeed in placing the stands 

 of the Grande Cote in the best possible condition to assure their vigor and to favor their 

 growth. 



PART III. — REVISION 



Art. 1. — Discussion of the management in force and the method of treatment 

 proposed. — The working plan on the whole is good; however, it appears to us to be 

 defective in the following points : 



(1) The area allotted for regeneration is too large; it occupies more than two-fifths 

 of the forest and consequently it has been impossible to cut it over with real regeneration 

 fellings. 



Furthermore this group must be absolutely distinct and cannot be linked, without 

 serious drawbacks, to the compartments to be cut over by area; in such a case one is 

 compelled to practice bastard fellings, clearly without any definite character, after 

 which the seeding does not take place. 



(2) To guide the executive officers in the natural operations, it is indispensable to 

 indicate the compartments which must be regenerated after those of the first group. 



(3) It is necessary to prescribe for the beech in a definite manner; this associate species 

 is very essential for the regeneration and good growth of fir stands. Its substitution 

 for the conifers however should be prevented. 



(4) For the reasons already explained, the actual yield, which corresponds to a 

 production of 8.6 m. c. must be reduced. 



