Ill 



People respect property of real -value. It Las been said 

 that the chief reason -why the forests in the mountains of 

 Auvergne and in the Alps were destroyed by excessive graz- 

 ing •v\as because the wood was without value in such out-of- 

 the-way places ; while forests round Paris have been preserved 

 because there has always been a good market for their 

 products. 



It may not here be out of place to indicate briefly the lejfal restrictions imposed 

 in Europe where the subject of grazing Las long received attention. Taking Prance 

 as an example, the regulations regarding grazing contained in the Forest Code of 

 1827 date trom very distant times. In 1541, Francis I. revived the decrees on this 

 subject, previously in existence, and these were agnin sanctioned in 1660 in the cele- 

 brated Forest Ordinance of Colbert The present Forest Begulation on the subject 

 is merely a repetition of these ancient laws. The most important provision in the 

 old laws consisted in the power to olo<e to all grazing for a definite period certain 

 portions of a forest or even the entire area, if snch a measure appeared necessary for 

 the safety of the forest. Under the existing law, instead of closing certain specified 

 areas, the areas open to grazing, in which ^he riilit-liolders are allowed to graze, 

 are fixed each year by the Forest OHicers (Articles 67 and 69), as also (Article 71) are 

 the roads and paths (by which the animals grazed are allowed to pass thrbngh the 

 closed portion of the forest), the number and kind of animals which the right-hohlers 

 are to be permitted to graze, and the time dnring which they can be grazed. Tne 

 introduction of goats is absolutely prohibited notwithstanding ant/ title to the 

 contrary. — Article 78. The same restriction is placed on sheep ; but, in cases where 

 there aie no other means of providing for their support, the Government may permit 

 cultivators, living on the borders of the forest, to pasture their animals in the portions 

 open to cattle grazing. 



As regards animals other than sheep and goats, the Forest Officers fix the number 

 that may be grazed each year, and tlie period during which grazing may take place. 

 This number is necessarily proportionate to the area thrown open (Articles 65, 66 and 

 68). Right-holders are allowed to graze animals required for their hondjide domestic 

 purposes, but not animals kept for trade or speculation (Article 70). In order that 

 the Forest Guai-ds and Inspectors may be able to recognize them, all animals entitled 

 to graze in the forests are branded (Articles 73 and 74). The animals belonging to 

 one commune or group of right-holders are all gnized together under one shepherd 

 (Article 72) appointed for that purpose. In this the modern law has followed ancient 

 re>;ulations. as it was found that with a number of animals scattered through the 

 forest supervision became impossible. Separate groups of right-holders are not, 

 however, allowed to unite their cattle under one shepherd, as too great a number of 

 animals grazing together injure the soil. 



The shepherfls appointed are directly responsible for breaches of the regulations, 

 or for injuries done by the animals in their charge ; and, if nned,the commune ap- 

 pointing them are responsible for the payment of the fines (former Article 72). 



It is provided by Art'cle 119 of the general rules made under the Law that 

 every year the local Forest Officers shall, having due regard to the nature, age and 

 situation of the trees, report, in a formal written proceedings, the condition of the 

 blocks of forest under the regime forfstier vihieh can be made over for grazing. 

 They are to indicate the number of animals that can be admitted to these blocks, 

 and the dates on which tlie exercise of the rights of user may commence and must 

 end. The proposals of the Forest Officers are submitted for the approval of the Con- 

 servator before the 1st February in each year. 



There are very severe penalties for a breach of any of these grazing rales. 

 Eight-holders introducing goats or sheep are subjected to a double fine. _ Kight- 

 holders who introduce more animals than they are entitled to, or who graze in closed 

 portions of the forest, are treated as if they had no rights, and are subject to the 

 same penalties as if they were outsiders. 



