50 FORESTRY IN POLAND. 



centres of the forests remained in a great measure free from 

 depredation. And if one meets with a few mature or 

 middle-aged woods, as in Petrokoff, Vlotslaff, and Katn- 

 pinoss forests, in which are indications of the destruction 

 of trees, and in which are but a few trees of mature or 

 middle age, this is more attributable to former long con- 

 tinued mismanagement than to depredations. 



1 The satisfactory state of the forests, with this exception, 

 which is surpassing expectation, may be attributable in a 

 great measure to the system of management adopted, 

 bringing all as soon as practicable into a regular succession 

 of growth, and after that subjecting them to a regular 

 system of exploitation. Through this judicious course, 

 and the carrying out strictly of the taxator or surveyor's 

 specific directions, from the first introduction of the new 

 regimt, the good results have been obtained. 



' The number of woods in which the fellings are some- 

 what objectionable has been greatly diminished ; and they 

 are only to be met with in forests from which it is not 

 easy to effect sales, and in which the course of manage- 

 ment could not, without pecuniary sacrifice, be carried out 

 within the prescribed time. The whole might be pro- 

 nounced satisfactory if the restoration or renewal of the 

 woods had not been so imperfect in some cases in conse- 

 quence of the character of the soil in the locality of the 

 forest. 



' The sales in the regulated forests are made in accor- 

 dance with the annual estimates sanctioned by the 

 Minister of Finance. The wood sold was formerly 

 delivered to the purchasers some of it cut, as for example 

 firewood, and some of it as standing timber, to be felled by 

 himself; this was done chiefly with wood for buildings, 

 and under an obligation to have it felled and removed 

 within a specified time. Latterly, all is sold standing, so 

 that the Forest Administration does not need to occupy 

 itself with the felling of the trees, excepting in the mining 

 districts; and this is done, although io some of the forests, 



