270 FORESTRY IN FRANCE. 



bureau at Nice. In the first the applicants must practically illustrate their 

 knowledge of land surveying, of leveling, of sylviculture (including botany), 

 and of all questions pertaining to forest economy in the presence of commis- 

 sioners appointed by the director-general. In the second examination before 

 the commissioners the candidates, in response to printed questions, pre- 

 viously sealed, are required to reply in writing. The inquiries relate to forest 

 laws and regulations, the calculation of solids, the elementary principles of 

 vegetation, the physiology of woods, the culture of forests and the manage- 

 ment of forest affairs. The destruction of forests has chiefly occurred where 

 legal restrictions have not prevailed, and has resulted mostly from their free 

 and indiscriminate cutting by the inhabitants, and from the pasturage of 

 large flocks of sheep and goats, which have exhausted the undergrowth upon 

 which the perpetuation of the woods depend. No sand dunes appear in this 

 district. A large portion of denuded land has been ordered to be replanted 

 as a natural and necessary safeguard against the violence of storms and the 

 damages of inundations. 



The forests of this district afford annually about 2,600 cubic meters of 

 construction timber. Very little of this, however, reaches the market of 

 Nice. The difficulty and cost of transportation from the mountains over 

 insufficient roads is so excessive that the lumber of foreign countries can be 

 landed and sold at this center at a cheaper price. Lumber coming direct to 

 this port from the United States is subject to no duty ; but arriving indirectly 

 via some European point pays ^0.695 for every 224 pounds weight. 



The most reliable dealers in seeds and shoots in this district are Mr. 

 Lorengi, seed merchant. Route du Var (Magnan) in Nice ; Mr. Lambert, 

 horticulturist, Nicej and Madame Sarro, horticulturist and florist in said city. 



ALBERT N. HATHEWAY, 



Conml. 

 United States Consulate, 



Nice, May 14, 1887. 



ROUEN. 



REPORT OF CONSUL IVILLIAMS. 

 FOREST AREA. 



The manner in which the forests in this consular district have been 

 acquired by the state is as follows : 



Hectares. 



In reserve No. 2 Rouen district P™"" *^ '■°y''' domain in 1669 42,555-51 



(From ecclesiastical property 3,447.84 



In reserve No. 7 Amiens district j^™™ *^ ^^^^ <^°'"^'° '° '^^9 42,886.51 



(From ecclesiastical property 14,920.78 



