1883.] FORESTS IN ALSACE-LOBBAINE. 123 



FORESTS IN ALSACE-LORRAINE. 



iHE systematic treatment of all matters connected with forests 

 which has marked the introduction of German rule in the 

 annexed provinces, has led to the publication from time to 

 time of interesting statistical returns. An examination of these 

 valuable sources of information shows that the area of the provinces 

 is about r),GOO English square miles, of which G3'88 per cent, is de- 

 voted to agriculture, while 3050 per cent, is forest-land. Thus, 

 assuming the population of 1880 (1,566,670) as a basis of calculation, 

 there is about seven-tenths of an acre of forest-land per head. The 

 proportion in Wurtembcrg is only slightly higher, while in Saxony it 

 is only half as much. In this way the importance of the district 

 in question as to forest culture and kindred subjects may readily be 

 appreciated. 



Of the before-mentioned wooded surface, nearly one-third is owned 

 by the State, a small percentage bein^the joint property of the State 

 and of local authorities. District administrations and institutions 

 lay claim to 45 per cent, the remaining 21 per cent, being in the 

 hands of private owners. Since the annexation of the provinces in 

 question, the Government property has been increased by purchases 

 to the extent of 1,750 acres, but the laying out of artillery practising 

 grounds in the forest of Hagenau has not only counterbalanced these 

 acquisitions, but has resulted in an ultimate decrease of about 1,250 

 acres in the area held by the State, The portion under official control 

 (as distinct from private supervision) is therefore about 1,350 square 

 miles, 63 chief foresters being entrusted with the care of this portion 

 of the land. The districts allotted to each are not unilorin in extent, 

 varying according to the natural features of the locality; those 

 situated in moderately level situations being the largest. Under 

 these 63 principal officials there are 785 subordinates. 



The situation of the forests as regards the age of trees is said to be 

 relatively favourable, it being evident that the French administration 

 exercised a judicious caution as to the use of the wood grown in forests 

 under Government control. The policy of the present owners of the 

 territory is similar in its general tendency, but the results of their 

 efforts are to an appreciable extent neutralised by rights of removal, 

 exercised by third persons. To this cause a direct loss of £11,000 

 per annum has been attributed, while the indirect prejudice resulting 

 is estimated as representing a much larger sum. 



The construction of roads for the transport of wood was in former 

 times carried out according to the pleasure of timber buyers, who 

 would purchase a large q^uantity of wood while yet standing, having 



