ABSTRACT REPORT 1863. 205 



A considerable number of rustic barriers have been formed on the upper 

 branches of the torrents. Instead of a large work of art constructed at the 

 mouth of the ravine, which nearly always gives way, the system of defence 

 consists in the formation of a number of dams across its ramifications 

 throughout the upper portion of its course. The small furrows which form 

 the highest branches of the torrents are dammed by simple faggots fastened 

 with stakes. In the larger branches, and where the presence of rocks or 

 any other circumstance appears to favour the construction, there are formed 

 dams made of hurdles and boughs, or walls of stones placed one upon 

 another strongly attached to the banks, or by rude carpenter work, the 

 whole being completed by interweaving quantities of willow and osier wands 

 into the banks, and into collections of earth which accumulate above the 

 barricade. 



" The success of these simple and economical works is remarkable. The 

 water, arrested everywhere in its descent, falls with much less violence and 

 rapidity ; a great part of the materials which it bears along are stopped 

 by the barricades, and no longer spread themselves over the villages and 

 lands situated at the foot of the mountain ; finally, the accumulation of 

 these materials, joined to the quick growth of the willow wands, tends to 

 efface the effects of the torrent between the successive barricades, and in 

 some measure to lessen the torrent by stopping up the ramified furrows of 

 which it was composed." Total extent of reboisements effected in 1863, was 

 12,834h. 74a. 



C. Preparatory Worhs. 



The question, which of the two methods of replenishment, sowing or 

 planting, should be preferred, does not admit of absolute solution. 



" In planting, two principal dangers are to be dreaded : The swelling up 

 or upheaval of the soil in spring, produced by the alternations of frost and 

 thaw, the effect of which is to lay bare the roots, and even to throw out the 

 plants, — and the drought in summer. These dangers may often be averted 

 or escaped, by placing, when circumstances permit, at the root of the plant 

 one or two stones, intended at the same time to hinder the swelling of the 

 soil and to keep the surface of the ground cool. When the trees are 

 planted amongst herbage, after a turf is cut, for the purpose of planting a 

 young tree, it is cut in two and placed at the root, either in the position 

 which it occupied before the operation, or turning the grass side towards 

 the ground. 



" Autumn has been preferred for planting, spring for sowing ; but experi- 

 ence has proved that sowings completed after the greatest heat of summer 

 are the most successful ; the young plant appears before the cold, then 

 comes the snow to cover and protect it till the return of spring ; it then 

 resumes its scarcely interrupted growth, and when summer arrives it is 

 robust enough to resist the heat." 



D. Nurseries. 



Since the beginning of the enterprise of the rehoisement of the moun- 

 tains. Government has felt the necessity of getting rid of the obligation to 

 have recourse to purchase, because the outlay is great and the produc- 

 tions are not always to be depended upon. The harvest of the fruit of this 

 foresight is now beginning to be reaped. Two kinds of nurseries have been 

 formed. (1) Small nurseries, scattered over the district where the reboise- 



