Polish Conditions. 275 



the natural regeneration requires often repair, which 

 is done if at all by bunch planting; after eight to ten 

 years the balance of the old growth is removed. 



While for a long time natural regeneration was 

 alone relied upon, now, at least, artificial assistance 

 is more and more frequently practiced. Yet, although 

 over 2 million acres were under clearing system, not 

 more than 5% of the revenue, or $100,000, was in 

 1898 allowed for planting as against 7.5% in Prussia; 

 the total budget of expenses then remaining below 

 3 million dollars. 



But, ten years later, over half a million dollars was 

 employed by the government in planting, the planting 

 fund contributed by the lumberman (see p. 269) 

 furnishing the means. 



The forest administration of the province of Poland, 

 where the State owns over 1.5 million acres was for 

 some time independent, but, about 1875, was re- 

 organized and placed under the central bureau at 

 St. Petersburg. Although the forests of Poland are 

 the most lucrative to the government and, with good 

 market and high prices for wood, which are now 

 rapidly increasing, would allow of intensive manage- 

 ment, the stinginess of the administration, the low 

 moral tone of the personnel, and long established bad 

 practice have retarded the introduction of better 

 methods. The private forests of Poland comprise 

 over 4.5 million acres, and are mostly not much better 

 treated than the State forest; in the absence of any 

 restrictive policy they have diminished by 25% in 

 the last 20 years. 



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