The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-06-07

the continually eroding sides of the
scar. There are found in all high
mountain regions several varieties of
extremely tough rooted grass The
mountain climber soon learn to know
that a good hand grip on 81 tuft of this
growth is sufficient to lift him even
over a dangerous ledge. Accordingly,
the department Of waters and forests
figured that II this grass could be dug
Iup and transplantcd in rows of cordons
across the dangerous spots the surface
soil might be temporarily fixed Their
! expectations We're well justified A
| large supply OF touch rooted tree and
bush seedlings were also gathered to
strengthen the cordons.
! Whenever a given spot of soil and
rock had been thus temporarily an
chored, there began the hazardous oc-
| cupation of tree planting. Seldom has
the planting of trees been carried on
under such unfavorable circumstances
Sometimes man and seedlings We're
lowered from above on rope ladder,
or a human chain so well known to
Alpine climbers, was organized. It was
indeed a testimonial to the gift Of the
French iaborers that the work was
ever accomplished at ALL
The species of trees used were cho-
sen not upon the basis Of any future
commercial value of the wood, but pri-
marily for rapidity of growth, and abil-
ity to send out mass Of tough inter-
lacing roots. The foresters took les
sons from Nature, selecting those trees
which are most often found naturally
sprouting upon land slide scars; and
just as in this country the willow, birch
and alder became favorItes. Later,
when these had fulfilled their purpose
and overcome the danger from slides,
more valuable species could be intro
duced. Commissioner Pack points out
In fact, all the cutting on steep noun
tain slopes in France is Regulated on
the selective system to discourage the
growth of Unfortunately large specimens.
Half a dozen medium sized trees close
to gether are a much more effective
protection for the soil than a single
forest giant.
During the winter all operations
were suspended, but time after time
the little stone hut, the men had built
for their summer accommodations, was
swept away by the spring slides. Once,
even, whole gang of men who had
been sent a little too early to the scene
of action, lost their lives. AS the zone
of operations progressed to che higher
levels, it was impossible for the men
to go to and from their work, but they
lived in shacks upon the edge Of the
scar, and subsisted on supplies brought
In, either by mountain pony or upon
their own backs.
Gradually, the work progressed to
the very upper levels, and the fight be-
came directed not against water ero-
sion and loose earth, but against the
snow itself, which is the beginning of
all trouble. Numberless little stone
benches were erected with sort of
hollow behind them. while on either
side, large clumps OF spruce, mountain
pine, larch and other sub-Alpins spe-
clos were introduced. This work be-
gan at an elevation of some two tnou-
sand feet above the valley, and was
continued TO the highest levels where
a timber line could be established.
Once the. slides were stopped, Ma
ture promptly reclaimed 1t, and at one
point forest OF spruce, now eight to
ten inches in diameter, covers the for
sner devastation. Four or five million
francs have been expended by the gov
eminent in all, and although the work
has cost lives as well as money, 1t has
not only resulted in the saving of many
lives and much property but has made
possible extensive hydro electric de-
velopm.nts throughout the valley. In
place OF terrific floods alternating with
dry stream beds. a fairly even flow Of
water. unsupplemented by reservoirs.
now furnishes light and power for the
town.
The development is soon to be ex-
tended, Commissioner Pack concludes,
and not only the branch railroad to