Struck by this circumstance, he saw at once that vegetation would be possible, if the sand could be prevented from being displaced by the wind. He consequently imagined various means of obtaining this result, and his efforts were crowned with complete success. He sowed on several downs the seeds of the maritime pine, which have now become magnificent forests. After being assured, by long experience, of the advantages which might be derived from the fixing of the downs, M. Bremontier addressed a report to the Government of the Republic, in which are found the following valuations:— “The surface of the downs, which form the _Landes_ of Bordeaux,” says he, “being equal to 337,000 _Bordeaux journaux_, of 840 _square toises_, the amount required to fix the whole of these downs would be 8,000,000 _livres_. Now, a _journal_ (0 _hect._, 33) of sand planted with pines, gives an annual return of fifteen _livres_, that of 337,000 _journaux_ would therefore be of 5,055,000 _livres_. It is supposed here that the _Journal_ planted with pines only yields three quintals of resin, and the price may be taken at five francs the quintal; but the plantations, at the end of seven or eight years, will produce an immense quantity of combustibles, and afterwards charcoal, boards, timber for building, and finally tar. It is true that the pines are not of full value until twenty or twenty-five years after planting; there will be, however, an interest of twelve and a half per cent. as a deduction from all expenses.” Much more simple means are employed at present, to fix the downs by sowing, for it is mostly considered sufficient to plant branches of broom, furze, or pine in quincunx upon the down to be sown and to scatter various seeds broadcast, and cover them lightly with a rake. These are called _tufted seed plots_. The expense of a _hectare_ is 66 _fr._, 80, which is made up as follows, as appears from the accounts kept by the engineers entrusted with these works:— 460 faggots at _fr._ 2,50 per C. _fr._ 11,50 16 _Kilos._ pine seeds 0,45 7,20 2 rush 2,50 5,00 2 furze 0,25 0,50 6 hay 0,10 0,60 Labour 1 day, 90. for a gang 22,10 41,99 ----- Cost of 1 hectare _fr._ 66,79 The gang is composed of— A Foreman _fr._ 2,00 _fr._ 2,00 6 Workmen 1,25 7,50 12 Women 0,75 9,00 6 Children 0,60 3,60 ----- Total _per diem_ _fr._ 22,10