210 THE^FOREST LANDS OF FINLAND. 



destruction of forests. The wood trade was then in a com- 

 paratively flourishing condition ; and, according to our habit, 

 it was not supposed that various objections might exist 

 against the disposal of an article which was increasing in 

 value. But some became afraid that the supply of wood 

 would be exhausted through an increasing export ; and the 

 first Committee was appointed mainly to propose means to 

 be employed to prevent the over exploitation of the forests. 

 The Committee proposed the increase of the State forests 

 by the purchase of forests from private persons; the 

 encouragement of the growth of forests in private lands 

 by loans on easy terms ; an export tax on unsawn wood 

 to the same amount with the tax on export which is 

 laid in one form or another on sawn wood of correspond- 

 ing dimensions ; increased duty on timber in small pieces 

 in general, &c. ; and they recommended the introduction of 

 a new forest law in place of the existing regulations of 

 1851. 



' The result was an increase in the proposed duties 

 on unsawn timber ; while the question of the proposed 

 alteration of the forest laws was submitted to the next 

 Committee. This Committee pressed the proposal as to 

 the increase of the Crown forests ; approved the creation 

 of communal forests by purchase, forests owned in com- 

 mon, with compulsory powers on the part of a number of 

 proprietors to compel others to join them ; and the impos- 

 ing of rules upon private proprietors as to the disposal of 

 their own forests in regard to Svedjande, and the cutting 

 down of timber, through the removal of which their 

 neighbours might be damaged. With respect to this 

 proposal there was desired an expression of opinion from 

 different official persons and wardens, and that of the 

 Finnish Economical Society ; and the Committee which has 

 now concluded its work was commissioned to consider 

 those official expressions of opinion which had been 

 received, and to submit proposals concerning the whole 

 matter after due deliberation on the same. 



' The consent of the various legislative orders was 



