PURE FORESTS AND MIXED FORESTS. 15 



place, the forests of Germany are so vast, so varied, and are 

 managed in a manner so methodical and skilful, that the study of 

 their management is exceedingly instructive. 



In the first instance I wish to mention the kingdom of Saxony. 

 That State, which extends on both sides of the Elbe river, is one 

 of the most densely peopled in Germany. It is a small country, 

 covering only 5700 square miles, which is less than the mean area 

 of a district in the Presidency of Madras. There are 3,787,688 

 inhabitants, or 660 souls to the square mile. You would think that 

 in Saxony every inch of land would be required to grow corn and 

 cattle fodder, for it is a highly industrial, a manufacturing and 

 mining country. Nevertheless it has no less than 26 per cent, 

 of its area under forest, and it is this area of well-managed forests 

 which, as a matter of fact, contributes largely to the prosperity of 

 that country so densely populated. The State forests of Saxony 

 comprise 435,000 acres, divided into 108 ranges Each range is 

 under the charge of an executive officer, and the mean area of a 

 range is 4000 acres. That is the area which experience in that 

 country has shown can most advantageously be managed by one 

 man. These executive officers have received the very highest 

 practical and scientific education. Above them are a number of 

 high controlling officers, who are chosen from among those execu- 

 tive officers who have distinguished themselves by efficiency and 

 ability. 



A large area of these forests is situated on the northern slopes 

 of the mountain range which divides Saxony from Bohemia. This 

 mountain range, which rises to an elevation of 3000 feet, is known 

 as the Erzgebirge ; and the forests on the Erzgebirge are the largest 

 and most important of the State forests of Saxony. They consist 

 almost entirely of pure Spruce. However, it was not all pure 

 Spruce formerly, but gradually, thi'ough the system of manage- 

 ment adopted in that country, they have been converted into pure 

 Spruce forests, because these have been found, in the circumstances, 

 to be the best paying woods. 



The management is exceedingly simple — it is clear cutting and 

 planting, the system to which in many parts of Scotland you are 

 accustomed to. The clearances, however, are made with the 

 greatest care, so as to guard against damage. It is a hilly country, 

 consequently the action of storms and heavy winds is often very 

 dangerous. You know something of the action of storms, for a 

 few years ago a very large area of fine forest was thrown down in 



