212 France. 
For the education of the lower grades an imperial 
rescript ordered the establishment of several schools, 
which were, however, never organized. In 1863 were 
proposed and in 1868 opened four schools, where efficient 
forest guards were to secure some knowledge that would 
assist them to advancement; three of these schools per- 
sisted until 1883. In 1873 an additional school for silvi- 
culture for the education of underforesters was organ- 
ized at Barres-Vilmorin, where annually six students 
are permitted to enter. This institution has persisted to 
date. 
Until recently these schools were open only to candi- 
dates for government service. 
The French forestry literature has never been prolific, 
and to this day occupies still a limited amount of shelf 
room. The first book on record is a translation of the 
well known volume of the Italian, Peter de Crescentiis, 
1486. In the 16th century we have reference to an ency- 
clopedic volume, probably similar to the German Haus- 
vater, by Oliver de Serres, Théatre d’Agriculture et 
Mesnage des Champs, in which a chapter is devoted to 
the forests. During the 18th century we have a number 
of high class writings, not by foresters, but by savants or 
students of natural history; the names of Réaumur, 
Mirabeaux, Duhamel and Buffon appearing with memoirs 
transmitted to the Academy of France, the highest liter- 
ary and scientific body of men, on subjects relating to 
forestry. Réaumur in 1721 recommended the conversion 
of coppice forests into timber forests by a system of 
thinnings, but it is evident that his words were not heard 
beyond the Academy. Duhamel in 1755 repeats the 
