92 ANNUAL REPORT OF 



the plains, comprises 96,000 acres. The soil consists of 

 decomposed granite, granulite, gneis, mica-slate, clay- 

 slate, grauwacke, porphyry, sandstone and some basalt. 

 In the plains there is diluvium and alluvium. Only a 

 very small portion of the forest area might be deemed fit 

 for agricultural use. 



The principal tree species are spruce, picea excelsa 

 (Link); Scotch pine, pinus silvestris (L.); silver fir, abies 

 pectinata (D. C.); larch, larix europase (D. C); roth- 

 buche, fagus silvatica (L); oaks, quercus pedunculata 

 (Ehrh.), and qu. sessiliflora (Sm.); hornbeam, carpinus 

 betulus (L.); ash, fraxinus (L.); several maples, namely: 

 acer pseudoplatanus (L), A. platanoides (L); further, 

 several species of elm, ulmus; of birch, betula; and of 

 linden, tilia. The prevailing species is spruce. 



The value of the state forests, including timber and 

 soil, aggregates 176,490,000. Hence the value per acre 

 is $ 1 77. The annual expenses for administration for the 

 year 1896 were $ i , 040, ooo. In the year 1896 the annual 

 gross revenue amounted to 12,986,000; the annual net 

 revenue to $ i , 946, ooo. 



The entire area planted annually varies according to 

 circumstances. On the average it will reach 6, 900 acres. 

 Of these 6,900 acres 800 acres are planted up with seeds 

 and 6, 100 acres are planted up with plants. About 20 

 per cent of the above figure 6,900, or 1,380 acres, consist 

 of blanks in plantations previously made where the origi- 

 nal planting has failed. Thus it appears that the area 

 planted for the first time after the removal of the old 

 crop is only 5, 520 acres. The question whether plants or 

 seeds shall be employed for restocking cleared ground 

 depends on the condition of the soil. As a general rule, 

 seeds are planted only on such areas which do not pro- 

 duce grass and weeds to a large extent and which at the 

 same time are of sufficient fertility and well protected 

 against late frost. The sowing or planting of seeds must 



