Early History. 159 



nance of 1599 refers to burning of tops and care of 

 young growth in fellings. 



Generally speaking, as in Germany proper, forest 

 ordinances were issued from time to time, by the 

 dukes under the theory of the Forsthoheit, applying to 

 limited territories and attempting to regulate forest 

 use. No uniformity existed. 



The iron industry in the more northern provinces 

 had led early to a more conservative use of forest 

 properties for fuel, and since the mines were regal 

 property the dukes had a special interest in their con- 

 servation. 



In the Alp territory, especially in Styria, the regal 

 right to the mines combined with the Forsthoheit led 

 early to the reservation by the dukes of whatever 

 forest was not fenced or owned by special grant for the 

 use of the mines. In addition, a superior right was 

 asserted by them in some of the private forests to all 

 the forest produce beyond the personal requirements 

 of the owners, for use of the mines at a small tax ; 

 and what other private property existed was burdened 

 by innumerable rights of user. The exercise of these 

 rights, and the warfare against irksome restrictions 

 led to widespread illegal exploitation and devastation, 

 which as early as the 15th century had proceeded to 

 such an extent that in Tyrol associations for protec- 

 tion against the torrents were already then in exist- 

 ence. Yet in this province, scantily populated, with 

 one-third of its area unproductive and one-third 

 forested, wasteful exploitation continued until recent 

 times. 



In Krain, which was unusually well wooded, forest 



