512 APPENDIX 



of the area each year. There were, in addition, regular fellings and cleanings. In 1885, 

 selection fellings were prescribed because of "the altitude, the rigorous chmate, and the 

 slowness of regeneration of the important species." The cut was placed at 202 cubic 

 meters per year, but 5 per cent was reserved for betterments. The diameter limit for the 

 exploitable tree was 0.6 meter (23.6 inches d. b. h.) on a rotation of 140 years. According 

 to the working plan now in force, the selection method will be continued and the yield 

 prescribed at 144 cubic meters. In other words the results of past cuttings show an over- 

 cut and it is now necessary to economize in order to bring the forest to a better producing 

 capacity. Before the yearly cut is marked, the forest is reconnoitred in the spring for 

 windfall and the total amount of windfall is subtracted from the total yield which is then 

 secured, first, from dry and dying trees and from trees which must be felled to free fir 

 seedhngs or to estabhsh or start reproduction when it does not exist. The best trees are 

 favored. Fir over 0.6 meter in diameter are cut, taking the best first. The cutting is 

 especially conservative along very steep slopes, and where too heavy cutting might 

 encourage the formation of torrents and thus destroy agricultural land lying below. 



The following improvement work is planned: A scenic road, a house for a guard, 

 numerous plantations, and, according to the working plan, "there is much left to be 

 done — there is a considerable danger from floods." 



(4) COMMUNAL FOREST OF LARDIES (NEAR OLORON, BASSES-PYRENEES) 



This communal forest comprises 88.35 hectares at an average altitude of 130 meters. 

 There is pedunculate oak growing on an alluvial soil with a mild climate. From 1883 

 to 1905, inclusive, 215 cubic meters were cut, valued at 1,381.10 francs. From 1886 to 

 1905, inclusive, the improvement cuttings covered 1.8 hectares annually and netted 

 249.40 francs. The sales from windfall, aggregating 133 cubic meters, netted 530.90 

 francs and the secondary products 702.2 francs. This gave a total revenue of 348 cubic 

 meters or 2,865.6 francs. The normal yield was estimated at 309 cubic meters or 2,614.7 

 francs. In this forest the soil value is very small because it is often flooded; it is esti- 

 mated at about 50 francs per acre. The local market is for firewood and the timber is 

 sold at Pau. There is communal grazing by 300 head of cattle, 50 horses, and 200 hogs, 

 yielding 100 francs per year. 



According to the inspector: "The up-keep of a nursery in a small forest is relatively 

 dear." 



This points to the advisability of district nurseries where transport is possible and 

 where the planting is on a small scale. Here the exploitability is based on economic 

 factors rather than physical. At 20 years of age, trees are about 5 meters apart. Shortly 

 after 70 years of age, there is a heavy thinning so as to keep the trees about 10 meters 

 apart until the final cutting. 



The yield of this regular high forest of oak is calculated by volume for the regular 

 feUings, by dividing the total volume of the area to be cut over by the number of years 

 in the period and subtracting 25 per cent for reserve. The yield of thinnings is fixed by 

 area. There were cleanings in 1912, 1920, and 1922. The revenue for the next period is 

 estimated at 2,805 francs. 



(5) STATE FOREST OF LA JOUX (JURA) 



Contains 2,644.34 hectares; 700 to 930 altitude; fir, 91 per cent; spruce, 8| per cent; 

 beech, ^ of 1 per cent. Highest yield in the Jura. 



The following figures on the first working group are quoted from the working plan 

 for the State forest of La Joux, by Inspecteur Brenot, which is dated April 29, 1896. 



