2 FORESTRY IN SPAIN. 



the then fctate t> agrarian -law by the illustrious Jovellanos, 

 published towards the close of the last century, made 

 manifest the necessity which there was for a development 

 and improvement of the agricultural capabilities of the 

 country, and arrest of the bad administrative management 

 to which were being subjected the extensive but fast dis- 

 appearing masses othe public forests. It was published 

 originally in 1796; successive editions appeared in 1 814 

 and 1820, and yet another edition followed in 1834. It is 

 entitled Informe de la Sociedad Economica de Madrid, ol 

 Real y Supremo Consejo de Castillo,, en el Expediente de ley 

 Agraria Extendido por su Individuo l)e Numero de 

 Melchor Gaspar de, Jovellanos a Nombre de la Junta 

 Encargada de sa Formation y Con Arreglo a Sus 

 Opiniones. ' Statements of the Economical Society of 

 Madrid to to the Royal Council of Castile in regard to 

 the Agrarian Law, prepared by one of their number in 

 the name of a Committee charged with the work, and 

 in accordance with their views.' 



The edition of 1820 is considered the most trustworthy 

 of the earlier editions, as it was prepared under the 

 auspices and direction of the Economical Society, following 

 most scrupulously the original, corrected by the author, so 

 as not to reproduce inaccuracies which had appeared in 

 other editions. 



Amongst points discussed, which relate more imme- 

 diately to forestal matters, are those connected with com- 

 mons, lands belonging to communal councils, and public 

 forests, which, with some trifling exceptions, it was at that 

 time considered would be best protected from destruction 

 by their passing into the hands of private proprietors. 



It is a prevalent opinion amongst students of forest 

 science that while coppice woods may be exploited by 

 private proprietors, without detriment to public interests, 

 timber forests, and more especially timber forests from 

 which are expected trees of very large growth, can only be 

 satisfactorily administered by the State. It has thus cotne 

 to pass that importance has been attached as a point of 



