REPORT OF MR. FRANCIS H. APPLETON.
549
streams, falling in of the banks, and inundations of the territories devoted to agriculture, all of which can extend beyond the limits of the particular country in which they originate.
“2. It is further recognized that that branch of cultivation which deals with the preservation and proper treatment of other woods important in cultivation, such as lie upon drift-land, summits, ridges and steep mountain-slopes, on the sea-coast and other exposed positions, is an important subject of consideration for all civilized nations, and that universal principles must be agreed upon which can be applied to protect the cultivation of all countries from the injuries caused by the proprietors of such protective woods.
“ 3. It is finally recognized that, at present, a thorough acquaintance with those disturbances of cultivation which are, and can be, produced by destruction of woods, is not at hand, and that therefore a sufficient foundation is lacking upon which we can build up the desirable legislator}^ measures.”
Dr. Judeich, of Tharaud, in furtherance of Dr. Bernhardt’s proposals, said:—
“ Laws for the protection of woods will never have the desired effect. The state should be the only proprietor of protective woods, and should also care for them itself. The most important task for the congress is to attempt a collection of statistical data.”
He moved that the following be incorporated in Dr. Bernhardt’s proposals :—
“In order to secure this foundation (of congresses), and to assist further international treatment of the question of the protection of woods, the Imperial and Royal Austrian Government is requested to enter into correspondence with the governments concerned, to collect statistical data of the position, extent and nature of the existing protective woods, and to consider this as its most important and nearest aim.”
These remarks were supported, after being accepted by Dr. Bernhardt, and finally a part of them were accepted by a unanimous vote, and the remainder by a large majority of the congress.
Immediately afterwards the proposals in regard to the question of experimental agriculture were voted upon in the following form, and accepted by a unanimous vote:—