FORESTRY IX HUNGARY. 13 



the last century, now form prosperous communes on the borders 

 of the State forests, • 



The rates paid for daily labour are usually from Is. to 2s. 6d. 

 for a man, and from 3s. to 8s. for a cart and two horses. But 

 most kinds of work is, as a rule, executed by contract, or by piece- 

 work, at fixed rates. 



Administrative Organisation. 



Before 1881, the direction of all forest aflfairs was vested in the 

 Minister of Commerce ; but in that year it was transferred to the 

 Minister of Agriculture ; and at the same time the administration 

 of the forests was confided to a special branch, which was relieved 

 of the management of the State agricultural property, and rendered 

 completely independent of all other work. Within the oftice of 

 the Minister, forest business is dealt with by the Director General 

 of Forests, who, acting as his delegate, decides, with certain 

 exceptions, all questions that are submitted to him. His oftice is 

 divided into three sections, which take up matters referring to the 

 State forests, working plans, and inspections respectively. Each 

 section is under a forest councillor. Section 17 of the law pre- 

 scribes that the proprietors whose forests come under its provisions, 

 must employ the number of managers and guards fixed by the 

 working plan, and this forms the basis of the organisation of the 

 Hungarian Forest Service. 



Tlie State forests are now divided into 18 Conservatorships with 

 an average area of 310 square miles, each of which is controlled by 

 a superior administrative officer, corresponding to a Conservator, 

 who is in direct communication with the Director General. The 

 Conservator directs, inspects, and controls. His circle is formed by 

 the aggregation of a number of divisions, the officers in charge of 

 which are under his orders. Among his various prerogatives may 

 be mentioned the following, viz. : — He can engage subordinates and 

 fix their rate of pay; grant leave within certain limits to persons 

 of all grades employed within his circle ; approve of contracts for 

 one year relating to the conversion or carriage of forest produce ; 

 and order experiments or purchases of plant or stock to the value 

 of £80. He can also sanction the annual sales of forest produce, in 

 accordance with the tariff" approved by the Minister, and order the 

 erection and repair of buildings to the value of £160, 



The officers in charge of divisions, of which there are 167, with 

 an average area of 33 square miles, act under the instructions of 



