2.10 LEGISLATION ON T0BRBNT8, 



" * The expetrienoe and the iuvestigations of engineers have shown that in 

 certain cases it is indispensable to arrest a daily increasing evil, for only in 

 this way can possibly be preserved certain districts unfitted for pasturage, 

 and threatened with approaching destruction. Reboisement will create a 

 great protection, preserving even the pasture lands, regulating the flow of 

 the water, and preventing the formation of avalanches, and exercising certain 

 specific effects during atmospheric perturbations. 



" ' The measure which is now proposed is truly a law for the public 

 welfare, and has a right to all our sympathy ; but it will not produce all 

 the good that may be expected, until it shall be supplemented by measures 

 for the protection of the herbage, and by measures repressing the increasing 

 evils of depasturing. 



" ' The commissioners appointed by you pray earnestly for these measures, 

 regarding which they have no power to take the initiative.' 



" Goverment has not overlooked this view of matters in the preparation of 

 the law of 1860. The Expose des Motifs, or reasons assigned for this law, 

 explained to the legislative body the various reasons which at that time led 

 the Government to determine not to extend the action of the law to the 

 restoration of herbage. One reads as follows, at page 17 : — 



" ' We do not conceal, that, even looking at it from the point of view 

 of hydraulic results, which is the stand-point of the law, the restoration 

 of the herbage is fitted to give important help to reboisement. At the same 

 time, it does not appear possible to extend so far the operation of the pro- 

 posed measures, and that for several reasons. 



" ' First, the financial resources which are at command are not adequate 

 to meet the expense of the reboisement which it is desirable to encourage 

 and execute, unless they be laid out with the greatest economy and wisdom ; 

 no part, therefore, should be diverted to works of a different nature, or 

 inferior utility. 



" ' Second, reboisement, where executed intelligently, having solidified 

 the soil, will also, in a certain degree, promote the natural restoration of 

 herbage in certain places. 



" ' Third, there is room to hope that, having before their eyes the reboise- 

 ment executed by or under the influence of Government, communes, to 

 whom depasturing offers immediate and individual advantages, will be easily 

 induced to undertake for themselves the restoration of their pastures, now 

 that it has become more easy and sure of success. 



" ' Finally, the legislative body is engaged on a special law for bringing 

 under culture communal lands, which will ' serve in cases altogether excep- 

 tional as a last resource.' 



" The first reason which we have adduced still subsists ; it is certain 

 that it would be impossible to proceed with reboisement and with gazonne- 

 ment simultaneously, and to a sufficient extent, with nothing but the 

 resources created by the law of 1860 ; but the hindrances may speedily 

 disappear should Government approve of the proposals which we shall 

 shortly have the honour of presenting. 



" As to the two last reasons, they rest upon conditions which it must be 

 confessed have not 3'et been confirmed by experience. We shall later explain 

 the causes which are opposed to the realisation of our hopes. 



" It is right that we should furnish the Corps Legislatif with a summary 

 of the practical results of the law on reboisement. The success of this law 

 may be confidently affirmed. 



