204 France. 
had reached 1,750,000 acres are found. About 1807 
the movement for the recovery of these wastes began ; 
first in a small way, gaining strength by 1830 after 
some sporadic experiments had shown the possibility of 
reforestation, and to-day over 200,000 acres of conifer- 
ous forest (mainly pine), largely planted by private 
incentive, are in existence. It is interesting to note 
that land which 50 years ago was often sold without 
measurement by distance, “as far as the cry would 
carry,” and never for more than $4.00 per acre, is to-day 
worth $40.00 at a cost for planting of less than $10.00. 
The stumpage value of a thirty years’ growth is figured 
at from $50 to $100, the total forest area is valued at 
$10,000,000 with net revenue from the 200,000 acres at 
$2.00 per acre. 
France is unfortunate in having within its territory 
the largest proportion of the area in Europe liable 
to ‘torrential action. Not less than 1,462 brooks and 
mountain streams have been counted as dangerous 
waters in the Alps, the Cevennes and the Pyrenees 
mountains ; or two-thirds of the torrents of Europe. An 
area nearly 1,000,000 acres in extent of mountain slopes 
is exposed to the ravages of these waters by erosion. 
Here the most forcible demonstration of the value of 
a forest cover in protecting watersheds was furnished by 
the results of the extensive forest destruction and de- 
vastation which took place during and following the 
years of the Revolution. 
Long ago, in the 16th century, the local parliaments 
had enacted decrees against clearing in the mountains, 
with severe fines, confiscation and even corporal punish- 
ment, but during the Revolutionary period all these 
