464 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



body of elected managers. It is a matter of great importance to 

 pass the timber down without any undue delay, as if it be left too 

 long in the water, or exposed on the banks, it may become either 

 saturated to the sinking point, or dry and cracked. Hence many 

 of the principal water-ways have been cleared of obstructions, dams 

 have been built in order to accumulate a reserve of water in neigh- 

 bouring lakes, shoots have been constructed to pass the timber over 

 waterfalls, or other works of improvement have been executed by 

 the managing body for the joint benefit of all interested. 



Peat. 



In parts of the country where wood-fuel is unobtainable or very 

 scarce, the people burn peat in their houses. This practice is 

 very prevalent in the western and northern regions. Peat-bogs, 

 which are found almost everywhere, are estimated to cover 4600 

 square miles, or 3 - 7 per cent, of the total area of Norway. Indeed, 

 some suppose their extent to be even larger. The peat industry is 

 of considerable and of increasing importance. The peat is usually 

 dug out in square pieces, which are stacked and dried in the open 

 air ; but it is sometimes either moulded in boxes and dried in the 

 open air, or prepared by means of a specially constructed machine. 

 The peat harvest is commenced in spring, as soon as injury by 

 night frosts is no longer anticipated. In 1897 a peat-master, with 

 assistants, was appointed for Finmarken ; and in some other 

 districts officials have been engaged to instruct the inhabitants in 

 the exploitation of peat-bogs. 



The State Forests. 



The following areas are under State control, viz. : — 



Sq. Miles. 



1. State forests, ..... 2241 



2. State Commons, burdened by rights of the 



people residing in the district in which 



each is situated, .... 840 



3. Attached to State farms, and the property 



of the "Fund for the Advancement of 

 Education," .... 254 



4. District Commons, . . .722 



Total, . 4057 



