Forest Laws. 293 



eral reboisement act of 1888,* which has in view the 

 correction of torrents — one of the best laws of its kind 

 in existence anywhere. 



The principal features of the law are: obligatory 

 reboisement of mountains and sand dunes according to 

 plans, and under direction of the Department of Agri- 

 culture, the areas to be designated by the department, 

 with approval or disapproval of the forest committees; 

 contribution to the extent of two-fifths (finally raised 

 to two-thirds) of the expense by the government; ex- 

 propriation where owners do not consent, or fail to 

 carry out the work as planned; right to reclaim 

 property by payment of costs and interest, or else sale 

 by government; right of the department to regulate 

 and restrict pasture, but compensation to be paid to 

 restricted owners; encouragement of co-operative 

 planters' associations. 



The execution of the law was not any stricter than 

 before. In 1900, the Secretary of Agriculture reports 

 that "the laws do not yet receive effective application." 

 The difficulty of determining what is and what is not 

 necessary to reforest, what is and what is not absolute 

 forest sou made ostensibly the greatest trouble and 

 occasioned delay, but financial incapacity, and political 

 influences bidding for popularity are probably the main 

 cause of the inefficiency. 



Meanwhile the forest department tried from its 

 scanty appropriation to promote reforestation by giving 

 premiums and distributing from its 130 acres of 

 nurseries during the years from 1867 to 1899 some 46 



*For details see Ftrnovi, in Garden and Forest, 1888, page 417. 



