262 Russia. 



felling of timbers fit for ship building was forbidden. 

 Minute regulations as to the proper use of wood for 

 the purposes for which it was most fit were prescribed, 

 and the use of the saw instead of the axe was ordered. 

 These rules were to prevail in all forests, with a few 

 exceptions, and penalties were to be exacted for con- 

 traventions. 



This good beginning experienced a short setback 

 under Catherine I (1725), Peter's wife, who, in- 

 fluenced by her minister, Menshikoff, abolished the 

 forest administration and the penalties, and reduced 

 the number and size of banforests. But the entire 

 legislation was re-enacted within three years after 

 Catherine's death (1727) under Anna Ivanovna's 

 reign, and many new prescriptions for the proper 

 use of wood were added and additional penalties 

 enforced. 



At this time, under the influence of a German 

 "forest expert," Fokel, the increase of forest area by 

 sowing oak, etc., in the poorly wooded districts, was 

 also inaugurated; and this planting was made obliga- 

 tory, not only on the administration of crown forests, 

 but also upon private owners, who in case of default 

 were to lose their land and have it reforested by the 

 forest administration. To Fokel's initiative is also 

 to be credited the celebrated larch forest on the 

 Gulf of Finland. 



These restrictions of private rights and the tutelage 

 exercised by the forest administration were abolished 

 in toto by Catherine II, in 1788, and although it was 

 reported by the admiralty, concerned in the supply 

 of shipbuilding materials, that as a consequence the 



