“Very interesting,” said Monsieur Remplumé.
“Very valuable for dealers in wood,” said Monsieur Jarnouillard.
“At last, messieurs, after long consideration and profound study, I have found a method to put an end to all uncertainty in that respect.”
“Ah! let us hear the method.”
“Hush, messieurs! silence! let us listen.”
“Let us not lose a word.”
“Messieurs, this is what must be done: whenever anyone plants a tree, he must have ready a small piece of wood or zinc—perhaps zinc would be preferable—and on this sheet of zinc, which is to be nailed to the tree, will be carved the year, month and day of the planting; then it seems to me, it will be very easy to tell the age of a tree at a glance.”
Applause, intermingled with much stifled laughter, arose on all sides.
“Bravo! bravo!”
“Honor to Monsieur de Belleville!”