BEMAEKS BT BOITEL. 145 



of the soil. Without culture the pine would never have formed 

 forests in that district, and it may be asserted that the plantation 

 would soon disappear if they were not kept up artificially. This tree, 

 which lives for a -hundred years in the south of France, often in 

 Sologne, reaches maturity at 25 or 30 years. This great difference 

 naturally involves important modifications of its culture and ex- 

 ploitation. 



" The inhabitant of the Landes who can count on the longevity of 

 his pines, expects them to produce resin and timber, firewood being 

 only a secondary consideration. 



" The Solognese, on the contrary, knowing that his pines are rarely 

 large enough for timber, or to be subjected to regular gem/mage, values 

 them chiefly as firewood, Cotrets bourries, charcoal, and charcoal 

 powder are the most important productions in Sologne. Only here 

 and there do some woods situated in deep moist soil furnish trees 

 fit for the carpenter. 



" Of late years, quantities of telegraph poles are supplied by Sologne, 

 for this purpose trees are required about the age of 20 or 25 years. 



" Although wood that has not been tapped appears to last a shorter 

 time under water, not long ago some of the finest trees in Sologne 

 were selected to form piles as the basis of a new bridge lately built 

 at Mayenne. 



" I am led to conclude, from some recent experiments, that 

 it would seem to be advantageous to tap the pines in Sologne, 

 especially those which are to be felled. 



" Gemmage should be practised in Sologne with prudence and 

 circumspection. We must remember that the tree so far north 

 generally lacks strength and vigour. 



"Too great a gemmage practised on feeble, sickly trees would 

 certainly shorten their lives, and a loss of timber would result, for 

 which the resin obtained would not be compensation. 



" Only trees on the point of being felled should be subjected to 

 the process. As to others, tbey should be let alone to grow before 

 it is attempted. 



" So soon as the trees appear strong enough to support the operation 

 they should be carefully operated on, only one incision made on each 

 tree, and this incision a small one, this being essential to the health of 

 the tree." 



M. Samanos, in the introduction to his Traite de la Culture du Pin 

 Maritime, says : " There has long been realised in the district of our 



