198 THE FOREST LANDS OF FINLAND. 



the bearing of this upon shipbuilding, I learned from Mr 

 Wm. Crighton, British Consul at Abo, with whom I put 

 myself in communication on the subject before leaving the 

 country, that : 



' Timber shipbuilding is not now in the flourishing con- 

 dition which it once was; and this is the case because it is 

 becoming more and more difficult to obtain in the country 

 suitable timber, and iron vessels, propelled by steam power 

 or otherwise, are everywhere taking the place of vessels 

 built of wood. But neither can I say, generally speaking, 

 the iron shipbuilding trade is at present flourishing ; 

 because we cannot compete on equal terms with such 

 iron-producing countries with engineering advantages as 

 Great Britain and Sweden. 



' Labour is much cheaper, but also indifferent. The 

 only exception is perhaps my own establishment, which is 

 conducted more on foreign principles ; and, in consequence 

 of old and good connections, is patronised by the Kussian 

 Government. Besides this, most of the other engineering 

 and shipbuilding concerns in the country make everything, 

 whilst we only build ships and make engines. Twenty 

 years ago we employed about 150 men, now we employ 

 about 800, and sometimes more. 



' The first iron steamer was built in Finland in 1850, 

 and very little was done during the first ten years. 



' Just 20 years ago I started here in the concern that 

 bears my name, in company with Mr Julin, one of the 

 chief merchants in this town, and during that time we have 

 built steamers for all parts of Finland and Russia, from 1 

 to 500 horse-power, and we have at the present moment six 

 large steamers in hand for the Russian Government and 

 private parties.' 



SECTION C. HOUSE- BUILDING AND CARPENTRY. 



There is a great consumption of wood in the building of 

 houses in Finland, most of them being built entirely of 

 that material lo laid on lo<j the extremities of those 



