324 RURAL DENMARK 



A GREAT INCREASE OF TERRITORY IN 



JUTLAND! THE REGULATION OF 



THE RIVER SKALSAA 



Translated from a Danish newspaper of 1907 



li One of the happiest events that we ever have to 

 record is the acquisition of fresh territory within the 

 boundaries of our native land. Barren heaths are brought 

 under cultivation. Useless pools and swamps are turned 

 into pastures and arable land. This means that in the 

 future more men can find a home and earn their daily 

 bread in their own country. Such an increase of territory 

 has taken place during the last two years as a result of 

 the regulation of the course of the river Skalsaa. 



" The Skalsaa leaves Lake Tusing at a spot six (English) 

 miles west of Randers. While the river Gudenaa, which 

 is only two miles distant, runs due east, the Skalsaa flows 

 with an almost imperceptible current and after many 

 windings into the Harbcek Fjord, one of the southern 

 arms of the Lim Fjord, situated about eight miles north 

 of Viborg. After receiving the water of its tributaries the 

 Skalsaa used to overflow its banks so that the water 

 meadows became sour owing to excess of moisture, and 

 their fertility decreased. About fifteen years ago the 

 Heath Society, one of whose main objects is the drainage 

 of bogs and water meadows, entered into negotiations 

 with the owners. In the course of a few years about 

 1772 acres were reclaimed as a consequence of the setting 

 up of two bog-draining centres. But it was only after 

 the engineering operations, on a large scale, which began 

 two years ago, had been brought to a close that the valley 

 of the Skalsaa throughout the whole of its length has been 

 turned into arable and pasture land. The method of pro- 

 cedure has been to clean out and deepen the river-bed, 

 and to shorten the river in places where its windings were 

 of excessive length. Its length has been reduced from 

 thirty-one to twenty-four miles, and its surface-level has 



