FORESTRY IN SWITZERLAND. 235 



osiers to be made with twigs or plants of the species of woods enumerated further on. In 

 cases where this running water has burrowed very deeply and loosened the mountain sides for 

 a space of considerable height and breadth, no remedial measures can be of avail, the force of 

 external circumstances sufficing to neuralize all human endeavor. And this prompts the 

 inquiry whether it can be right and reasonable thus to jeopardize public and private interests 

 and to an extent beyond calculation. When, however, as is often the case, through the blind- 

 ness, indifference or neglect of those immediately threatened, matters reach such a desperate 

 stage, as for instance in the case of the NoUa, where the constantly increasing deposit of 

 masses of loam may ultimately stop up the course of the stream itself and cause the greatest 

 devastation, both above and below, under no circumstances should such a district be left to 

 take care of itself, cost what it may. And all the more urgent and important is it that when 

 these constructions are intrusted to private parties or town authorities, they should be carried 

 out in a manner combining the lowest expense with the greatest^and most rapid efficiency. 

 To this end is this well-meant advice from a practiced expert designed, and it is in this 

 intention that he thus addresses himself directly to the public, knowing as he does that the 

 method in question is a well known one which has already, in many instances, been applied 

 by higher technical authorities, and which, therefore, does not need to be commended to their 

 notice beforehand; but that the theory of planting around the remotest sources of springs, 

 points to which ordinarily the authority of the official world does not reach, and the theory of 

 putting down artificial constructions along the banks of private streams, and of insuring the 

 preservation of private dams, may come in time to be known, recognized and carried into 

 effect — this is the especial aim of this work. 



The method referred to, and which can be apphed almost without cost, and with the 

 utmost success in all cases where the preservation of land or the putting down of Constructions 

 along water-courses is concerned, consists simply in the timely and systematic planting of 

 declivities and imperilled banks, as well as the dams and osier works, with suitable species of 

 trees and bushes. 



But conditions vary so greatly, according to locality, that it is impossible to estabhsh rules 

 adaptable to all, and much must consequently be left to personal judgment as to what, under 

 particular circumstances, is to be modified or amplified. 



The chief rules for guidance are, briefly stated, as follows : 



1 . Planting, whether by sowing seed or setting out twigs and plants, must positively be done 

 only in late fall or in spring, 



2. The choice of plants from among the list given below is, of course, not strictly prescribed, 

 but is indicated by the table. As an average rule it may be held that no trees which grow to a 

 great height should be planted on steep slopes, and that none are to be planted upon the bed of 

 a stream elsewhere than behind the line of the dam; also that, to some extent, the elevated 

 points, as well as the sunny and shady sides of the place of planting, are to be looked after. 

 As the trees and bushes given in the table are of domestic growth, or easily domesticated, any 

 expense in procuring them from elsewhere can only occur in exceptional cases. By far the 

 most of those mentioned further on have long grown and flourished on the shores of our 

 streams, but mixed with other species resembling them yet absolutely worthless. This mingling 

 of species must positively be avoided. 



3. The table given below designates which species are to be sown, and which set out as 

 plants or twigs. There are, however, exceptions to this rule also. 



4. In order that the species mentioned may not so easily be confused with others, which 

 is quite apt to occur in regard to willows, for instance, and in order, further, that where large 

 numbers of plants are used there may always be a supply of the right kind on hand, it is 

 advisable to establish larger or smaller nurseries. In other countries there are localities where 



