174 LEGISLATION ON TOERBNTS, 



" A question has been raised as to the relative importance of rehoisement 

 and gazonnement for the consolidation of the soil and the creation of 

 obstacles to the sudden overflow of streams. Several engineers, especially 

 in the Alps, appear disposed to think that gazonnement is often the most 

 suitable means of attaining the proposed end. Other experts are of opinion 

 that if in certain cases gazonnement may appear enough, rehoisement will 

 more slowly but more completely and durably effect a result. 



" Eemaeks. — There seems to be attributed to gazonnement, especially 

 in the Hautes-Alpes, in L'Is6re, and in the La Drdme, a power 

 almost as great as that of rehoisement for restraining torrents. This 

 is a little exaggeration. The Administration does not deny the utility 

 of restoring the turf, but works of this kind should be undertaken on 

 the vast bare surfaces which extend above the region of forest vege- 

 tation. Executed simultaneously with repeuplements, they give 

 powerful aid in hindering the rush of torrents into the valleys ; in 

 order to seek this result by a double means, the Administration has 

 promoted the formation of a higher commission for the simultaneous 

 execution of the two laws on rehoisement and reclaiming of waste 

 communal lands. But everywhere where repeuplement is practicable 

 this latter seems to promise to be the most efficacious means. The 

 employes are mistaken if they think themselves obliged every- 

 where to propose immediate rehoisements with valuable trees. When 

 the soil is nearly exhausted, and requires to be renewed before being 

 iit for the production of forest trees, it should be planted with bushes 

 or hardy shrubs, such as exist here and there on the barest parts of 

 the mountains. This work is included in the category of repeuple- 

 ments, properly so called, and constitutes a real rehoisement. The 

 circular No. 806 contains, on this point, pages 7 and 8, all the 

 necessary hints. According to the enactments of this circular, the 

 examination of ground for compulsory rehoisement should include 

 grounds to be rehois^d either with permanent trees or with prepara- 

 tory plantations, and grounds on which it is necessary to carry out 

 works of gazonnement. 

 " The replenishings with woods may be effected through the operation of 

 the law for bringing in the waste communal lands. These under- 

 takings should furnish all necessary hints; and those of them 

 which include operations belonging to both categories will be 

 handed over to tlie high commission appointed by the decree of 7th 

 November 1861. 

 " In La Haute-Loire, the employ6s entrusted with the survey of districts 

 for compulsory rehoisement have declared that they are often at a loss, on 

 account of the peculiarities of the soil, consisting of waste pasture, partly 

 wooded, but forming no greater obstacle to the torrents than if it were 

 entirely bare. They have asked the conferenee to decide whether districts 

 of this kind, which do not cover less than 65,000 hectares in the depart- 

 ment, may be included in the pirimetres ohligatoires. The employes, 

 assembled in conference at Aurillac, did not hesitate to answer in the 

 afi&rmative, at the same time referring the question to the Administration. 

 " Eemaeks — The principal object of the law of 28th July 1860 is the 

 creation of barriers to the sudden descent of torrents into the 

 valleys. There is no doubt that districts sparsely covered with 

 trees, having no hydraulic effect, should be included in the extent 



