afforestation of waste lands. 209 



Belgium. 



H.M. Minister at Brussels states that the sum of ^,12,000 is 

 annually voted for the purpose of enabling the State to acquire 

 wooded lands or lands fit for planting. When there is an 

 opportunity of purchasing such land, the proposal is laid before 

 the Chambers, who decide if the purchase should be made, and 

 vote an additional grant if required. A sum of ^19,500 is also 

 provided for works in connection with the State forests. 



The State 'does not give financial assistance to private 

 persons with a view to encouraging the planting of trees, except 

 in certain particular cases, such as planting over abandoned 

 mines or quarries, or with a view to screening a blemish on 

 the landscape. In such cases, the expense may be partially 

 or entirely borne by the State. The Government foresters 

 are, however, always willing to give any information to 

 private persons regarding forestry. Forests belonging to 

 the communes are managed and inspected by the Forestry 

 Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, and a part only 

 of the expenses incurred is refunded by the communes. The 

 Government, and in some cases the provinces, pay a portion 

 of the expenses incurred in planting communal waste lands, 

 or in re-afForesting districts where the communal woods have 

 been destroyed. An exemption from taxes during ten years 

 is granted to communes, in respect to waste lands which have 

 been planted with trees. Public lectures on forestry are given 

 free every year in various districts. 



Germany. 



Prussia.— During the six years 190 1-1906 about 300,000 

 acres of land suitable for forestry were acquired by purchase 

 or exchange, of which a part was already wooded. The cost 

 of purchase, including about 57,000 acres of agricultural land, 

 as well as a number of dwelling houses and farm buildings 

 which were taken over at the same time, amounted altogether 

 to ;,£^ 1, 934,000. The cost of afforestation amounts on the 

 average to about 48s. per acre. 



As regards measures for encouraging afforestation among 

 rural communes and private landowners, it is stated that 

 expert instruction and advice are given to landowners, the 

 efforts of societies for silviculture are stimulated, seedlings 



