EXCURSION TO SWEDEN. 57 



Like sensible men, alive to the best interests of their country's 

 good, they, nearly a century ago, began in a small but deliberate 

 way to frame new laws and to employ new methods, whereby the 

 continuity of their forests' growth was assured ; and, through the 

 application of scientific principles to the management of their 

 woods, they are to-day, if not so far advanced as Germany or 

 France, still far ahead of Britain in sylviculture. The interest 

 which the Swedish Government takes in this important industry 

 is worthy of all praise, and is a pleasant contrast to the apathy 

 and neglect which our own Government has ever evinced in all 

 matters relating to forestry. The administrative work of the 

 Government Forest Department is in the hands of a director and 

 chiefs of bureau, who have under them officers and sub-officers. 

 The whole of the State-owned, area is divided into districts, of 

 which there are nine ; over each of these presides a controlling head, 

 vinder whom are placed the chiefs of ranges, and under whom 

 again are the forest guards. Young men wishing to train for a 

 post in the Government Forest Department must pass through 

 the Stockholm Academy. This is done by passing an entrance 

 examination, for which a good elementary education is necessary. 

 Afterwards, students are obliged to spend one year at a forest 

 school, where they come in daily contact with the practical work 

 of the woods ; then two more years are spent at Stockholm, and 

 an additional year upon a forest range. To successful candidates 

 the title of " Master of the Royal Domains " is granted, after 

 obtaining which they are considered fully qualified to take up 

 responsible forest charges. 



Having briefly stated the nature of the education and training 

 necessary for a Government forester in Sweden, we shall now 

 endeavour to describe some of his practical work, as exemplified 

 in the forests which we visited. 



On entering the beautiful town of Gothenburg, the Excursionists 

 were greatly impressed by the arboricultural methods practised in 

 this, as in all other Swedish towns they visited. Practically every 

 street has its row of stately limes or elms. In every town there are 

 numerous large squares, or people's gardens, beautifully arranged 

 with oi-namental trees, shrubs, and flowers, and usually connected 

 with each other by long avenues composed chiefly of limes. These 

 give to the largest cities a very countrified and attractive appear- 

 ance, which must tend to promote among the citizens a love of 

 nature and of things beautiful. That the mass of the people 



