WORLD'S TIMBER RESOURCES 167 



in the year 1827, with the present Forest Code. 

 " The principle which underUes the Forest Law 

 of Prance is that the State not only lays down 

 rules for the protection, care and working of 

 the national and public reserves, and for the 

 forest lands held by communes, corporations 

 and pubUc institutions, but that it also imposes 

 restrictions on the right of private owners to 

 clear or destroy tracts of forest on their lands." 

 Therefore private owners who wish to clear 

 wooded land on their estates must apply for 

 permission to do so to the Forest Department, 

 at least four months before they propose to 

 carry out the work. Clearing may be forbidden 

 if it be deemed necessary in the public interests 

 to do so, and landowners contravening the laws 

 may be heavily fined in addition to being ordered 

 to replant the cleared area. " The clearing of 

 private lands may be forbidden if the main- 

 tenance of tree-growth is deemed necessary for 

 any of the following purposes : To maintain 

 the soil upon mountains or slopes ; to protect 

 the soil against erosion and flooding by rivers, 

 streams' or torrents ; to insure the existence of 

 streams and watercourses ; to protect dunes and 

 coasts against the erosion. of the sea and the 

 encroachment of moving sands ; for the pur- 

 poses of mihtary defence, or for the public 

 health." 



