12 . FORESTRY 



The method by means of volume had the support of G. L. 

 Hartig. Cotta and others, however, considered the areal 

 distribution preferable, but tried to combine with it an 

 equalisation of the return by volume as well. 



In the beginning of the nineteenth century a further 

 method of calculating the produce was evolved. It was 

 based on a series of formulae representing the actual stock and 

 its increment in relation to the ideal or so-called " normal " 

 stock and increment. 



5. Forest Literature 



The middle of the eighteenth century marks a turning 

 point in the history of sylviculture. Till then forestry 

 had been almost unknown in literature. A few scattered 

 writings had previously appeared, but now there was evinced 

 an earnest desire on the part of foresters to bring to public 

 notice results of inquiry and experience. 



Of the early works, that entitled Ruralium commodorum 

 appeared in the year 1300. It is a scholarly compilation on 

 agriculture taken from the writings of Roman authors. Quaint 

 views upon natural history occur throughout its pages, and 

 forestry is occasionally referred to. Upon the invention of 

 printing, several editions of the book were issued and it was 

 translated into many languages. It inspired much of the 

 popular Prtzdium rusficum of Charles Estienne, which ap- 

 peared in 1554. Among other works of a like character, the 

 only one requiring mention is the Oeconomia ruralis, by Colerus, 

 of interest as being the first based on actual observation of 

 nature and direct personal experience. The book is, in this 

 way, a striking contrast to the pedantic efforts of all previous 

 writers. Sylvicultura ceconomica (1713), by Von Carlowitz, 

 like Evelyn's Silva, is wholly devoted to forestry, and deals 

 with its subject from a practical standpoint. It contains pre- 

 cepts, many of which are still recognised as of fundamental 

 importance in sylviculture. 



The first encyclopaedic work in which forest science is 



