270 
break the force of avalanches, the draining of subterannean water 
from land liable to slide and the control of mountain streams. 
n the more favourably situated areas a considerable yearly income 
is derived from the forests, and in the case of town or communal 
of firewood each year. here a considerable amount of protec- 
tion work is necessary, however, the expenses are in excess of the 
income and the deficiency is met by levying a small tax upon those 
who are likely to derive benefit from the work. ere the expense 
is great the cost is divided between the State, the canton in which 
the work is being carried out, and the adjacent towns and villages. 
In some instances mountain railways owned by private companies 
benefit, and in such cases the companies share the expense. Most 
of the country people living in the valleys are small holders and 
many of them assist with protection or forest work during part o 
the year. The burden of protective work appears to be taken as a 
matter of course by the folk concerned, for they know from experience 
that if the work were neglected they would be liable to lose every- 
thing they possessed In a few moments’ time, whilst the fear of 
avalanches, landslides and floods would be ever present. For the 
same reason it is felt that the best people to undertake the work are 
those who stand to gain most from it, therefore by employing local 
labour the authorities contend that the work is performed more 
thoroughly than might be the case if strangers were imported. 
stones which are a constant source of danger. Owing to the 
improvement in the breed of cattle which has taken place of late, 
fewer cows than formerly are required to produce a given quantity 
of milk and it is found more profitable to keep one cow than a 
number of goats. This has tended to relieve the grazing areas to 
some extent, 
tion, saaorag 3 being carried on only in places where it is not 
possible to_ i it is i 
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