WORLD'S TIMBER RESOURCES 169 



had a good general education at a Mgli school 

 and be between the ages of eighteen and twenty- 

 two years. They must pass an entrance examina- 

 tion in mathematics, chemistry, natural philos- 

 ophy, mechanics, history, geography, plan draw- 

 ing and German. Instruction is provided free 

 by the State, but a charge of £60 a year is made 

 to cover board as well as the supply of books 

 and instruments. The course comprises forest 

 economy and management, including sylvi- 

 culture, or the methods of working and utiliza- 

 tion ; forest management in other countries ; 

 botany, geology, zoology, appUed mathematics, 

 agriculture and German. MiUtary instruction 

 ' completes the hst of subjects, and includes rifle 

 shooting and squad and company drill, with 

 some teaching in artillery works, fortifications 

 and outpost duties. 



Recent statistics are hard to obtain, but a 

 few years ago it was estimated that the public 

 forests covered an area of 2,691,000 acres, whilst 

 those of the communes and public institutions 

 covered 4,738,000 acres, or together 7,429,000 

 acres, representing 5-6 per cent, or one- 

 eighteenth of the total area of France. In addi- 

 tion 16,000,000 acres of forest land are in the 

 hands of private owners. 



Of the 87 departments of Prance, the 27 

 which are situated on the southern and eastern 



