104 NATURAL HISTORY OF SOOTOH FIR. 



" This condition of things is not only a heavy burden on the 

 treasury, but it may become matter of grave concern in case of 

 eventualities against which it is necessary to provide. 



" France, by the single fact of her geographical position, with her 

 two hundred leagues of coast on two seas, with her colonies, and 

 Algeria, and her distant commerce to protect in all parts of the 

 world, cannot avoid being a maritime power of the first order — it is 

 one of the necessaries of her existence. She can no more relieve her- 

 self of an imposing naval force than of an army. 



" But for the construction and maintenance of numerous vessels of 

 war, it is needful that she be able to find on her own soil the needed 

 timber. 



" Those portions of the soil which have been conquered from the 

 forest by agriculture cannot be recovered. But France still 

 possesses considerable resources besides these. For instance, a large 

 extent of the mountains have been despoiled of forests ; the 

 re-covering of these with trees is acknowledged by every one to be 

 an urgent and indispensable measure ; besides, there are hundreds 

 of thousands of hectares in one district of the west and of the south 

 central France which have continued hitherto in a state approaching 

 utter unproductiveness, which are capable of bearing beautiful timber 

 forests of resinous trees. It is on these lands, and by the employ- 

 ment for the purpose of resinous trees, and more particularly of 

 pines, that we must operate to restore our forests. And it is at this 

 point especially that a knowledge of the different species of pines, 

 and of their principal varieties, becomes important ; we may, indeed, 

 according as we employ one or other of these, create on the same 

 soil forests of the poorest or of the greatest value. 



" This holds true especially of the Pinus Sylvestris. 



" In the greater part of the woods of resinous trees formed on a 

 pretty large scale in Maine, in some parts of Brittany, and more 

 recently in Sologne, it is to the Pinus Maritima that a preference has 

 been given, because its growth is rapid, successful culture is easily 

 ensured, and the seed is abundant and cheap ; but, as is known to 

 all foresters, the Pinus Sylvestris is capable of furnishing products 

 infinitely superior in quality, in dimensions, and in value to those 

 which can be obtained from the Pinus Maritima. And in connection 

 with this subject there is a question which it is very important should 

 be resolved, it is that relating to the relation of the Eiga pine and 

 the varieties of the Pinus Sylvestris. The comparative culture, on 

 the same land, of trees, of which it is desired to determine the 



