Studies in French Forestry 



CHAPTER I 



IMPRESSIONS OF FRENCH FORESTRY 



By W. B. Gbeelbt 

 Formerly Lieut.-Col., 20lh Engineers, A. E. F. 



Economic Needs and National Traits (p. 1). Forestry a National Art. 



Significant Public Phases of French Forestry (p. 2). The Special Legal 

 Status of Forests, A Penal Code of Their Own, Laws DeaUng with Forest Fires, State 

 Control of Forest Devastation, A Striking Infringement of Property Rights, Tax 

 Exemptions on Forests. 



Forest and Land Conservation (p. 6). Stabilization of the Gascon Sand Dunes, 

 Forestation of Communal Lands, Flood Control in the Alps, Expropriation of the Use of 

 Land for Forest Enterprises, Private Forests in Conservation Projects, The Core of 

 PubUcly Owned Forests, Checkered History of the State Forests of France, The Extent 

 of the Public Forests, Their Technical Management, The Communal Forests of France, 

 Educational Value of the Public Forests. 



Private Forestry in France (p. 12). Its Economic Basis, Forest Versus Farm 

 Crops, The Importance of Private Forestry to France, Returns from Private Forests, 

 Forest and Sawmill Divorced, Lumber Manufacture Adapted to Forestry Practice, 

 Private Forestry on Its Own Feet. 



Forest Problems of France and the United States (p. 15). Intensive Use of 

 Limited Resources in France, The Handicap of Lumber Shortage, America's Problem — 

 Idle Land. 



Not alone in its technical practice does the forestry of France offer much 

 of interest and value to Americans. In the attitude of the French people 

 toward their forests, in the historical and legislative development of their 

 forest policy, in their pubUc forest enterprises, and in the economic situa- 

 tion of France as regards the supply and use of timber, the United States 

 may glean a deal that is suggestive and illuminating. Notwithstanding 

 contrasts between new and old world conditions, we may learn much in 

 seeing how a nation just as democratic and individualistic as our own has 

 met a forest situation similar in some respects to what America herself is 

 approaching. 



Economic Needs and National Traits. — Forestry in France rests upon 

 two main bases. The first is economic necessity; the second, national 

 temperament. The shortage of home-grown timber compels France to 



1 



