Il8 SERBIA - AGRTCUI.TURAI, ECONOMY IX GENERAL 



5) Coria — private propert}'. 

 Coria is found in three different forms : 



a) Property in the true sense of the word, based on a legal title. 



b) Property resultant on usufruct, that is the property of a usufruc- 

 tor>' of the State who declares himself owner. 



c) Detention following on illegitimate occupation of lands belonging 

 to the State or the communes (Mefat, Baltalic), the detainer having, after 

 some years, declared himself owner. 



The proportion in which these various kinds of ownership, of usufruct 

 and of possession as the result of prolonged occupation exist, is unknown. 



§ 3. The utilization of the woods. 



Old Serbia. — Until 1891, that is until the new law as to the woods 

 was voted, it may be said that profit was derived from them by means of 

 thefts of wood. 



In the communal woods felling, which was effected without any State 

 intervention, was considered to be the incontestable right of all indivi- 

 duals belonging to the commune. The mayor gave formal leave for it 

 as need arose. The leave specified only the number of trees which might 

 be cut down : their choice was left to individual discretion. 



For tree-felling in State woods special leave from government officials 

 was necessar3^ It was allowed freely on the sole condition that the timber 

 should be used for the feller or his famil}^ if he were recognized to be poor ; 

 otherwise he had to pay a small due. 



In the form granting permission to cut down trees belonging to the 

 State the number which might be felled was indicated. There was no 

 restriction on choice. 



It is not astonishing that this method of administering the woods 

 caused their progressive disappearance, but the destruction was less than 

 might be supposed. The smallness of the population and the lack of 

 means of transport were obstacles to this unscientific employment of the 

 woods. 



The law of 1891 put a stop to it and gave a better basis to the uti- 

 lization of woods. 



According to the rules laid down b}^ this law the State woods can be 

 utiHzed only on the following conditions : 



i) Before felling is allowed a scheme for it is drawn up b\' the Forest 

 Administration . 



2) The form giving permission to cut down trees not only specifies 

 the number which may be cut down but also the condition that none ma}' 

 be felled except such as are indicated by the competent Forest Admin- 

 istration. 



3) Tree-felling for a commercial or industrial object and on a large 

 scale cannot be effected without reforestation, for which a scheme is drawn 

 up b}' the administration. 



