FORESTRY IN HUNGARY. 25 



per cent, of the entire forest area open as forest pasture ; but if this 

 be the case, measures must be taken to protect the trees, so as to 

 prevent the soil from deteriorating. 



Under the head of Infringements of Rules {Contraventions) are 

 classed all acts and omissions provided against by the forest law, 

 which are committed by the proprietor, his family, agents, or work- 

 men. For instance, if a^ proprietor treats his forest in such a 

 manner as to endanger its existence ; if he cuts down a Forest of 

 Protection, or a forest of any sort, on ground incapable of being 

 used as fields, meadows, gardens, or vineyards, he is guilty of an 

 act of infringement. The proprietor of a forest under section 17 of 

 the law, who cuts more timber than is allowed by the working 

 plan, has to pay a heavy fine, and to replace the excess quantity 

 cut, by refraining for the necessary time from the ordinary annual 

 fellings. All other contraventions of the provisions of the working 

 plan, the extraction of stumps and roots, pasturing of cattle, and 

 the collection of dead leaves, grass, or herbs, are punishable by 

 fine. Among punishable omissions may be mentioned the following, 

 viz. : — non-submission of proposals for the working plan, non- 

 employment of the necessary establishment, non-exercise of proper 

 supervision, omission to re-plant or re-sow to the extent prescribed 

 by law. Heavy fines can be inflicted for such omissions, as well as 

 for neglect to report the resignation or dismissal of an emjyloye, and 

 for failure to observe the standing orders for the prevention of 

 forest fires, and attacks by insects, or the regulations regarding the 

 transport of rafts and logs. 



Among Forest Offences (delits) are classed thefts of unfashioned 

 produce, if its value, and that of the damage caused, are together 

 not more than 30 florins (£2, 8s.) ; damage of any sort to the 

 value of less than 30 florins ; dangerous acts and omissions, without 

 regard to value ; and the purchase or sale of produce, the sale of 

 which has been prohibited. Such offences may be disi:)osed of 

 administratively by the mayor or head of the police. But thefts 

 and damage to the value of more than 30 florins, acts and omissions 

 which have resulted in a forest fire, thefts of fashioned produce, or 

 the unauthorised collection of seeds, are offences which are punish- 

 able under the ordinary law only. They are to be tried at once, 

 taking precedence before all other cases. The delinquent pays the 

 value of the stolen goods, as well as compensation to the amount of 

 from one-quarter to the whole of the estimated damage he may 

 have done ; and, except in cases of theft of dry wood, branches, 



