CHIEF FIRE WARDEN. 99, 



SWEDEN. 



STATE FORESTS. 



The aggregate extent of the state forests of Sweden in 

 1895 was 18,080,753 acres. The area of state forests is 

 annually increasing by extensive purchases of private for- 

 est. The prevailing kinds of trees are spruce (fir), pine 

 and birch. The estimated value of the state forests is $4 

 per acre. The figures in this statement are for the year 

 1895, in which the aggregate expense of forest administra- 

 tion was 1185, 397, and the aggregate revenue was $i, 126,- 

 636. The number of acres sown or planted to forest was 

 10,875. The number of acres damaged by fire was 1,200, 

 and the amount of damage was about $10,000. Neglected 

 camp fires and carelessness when burning fields for culti- 

 vation are the principal causes. Only three fires were 

 caused by railroad locomotives. The state forests are di- 

 vided into 9 districts and 74 ranges ("revir"). The chief 

 of a district is an officer entitled "Ofverjagmastare," 

 with annual salary of 11,707 and rank corresponding to 

 the rank of major in the army; the chief of a range 

 ("revir") is an officer entitled "Jagmastare," with a 

 salary of $1,200 and rank corresponding to that of cap- 

 tain in the army. Before any one can be appointed as 

 ' 'Jagmastare " he must have passed successfully the ex- 

 aminations required after a year's attendance at one of 

 the forest schools, the examinations required during a two 

 years' course at the College of Forestry at Stockholm, 

 and must have practiced forestry a year on a range. For- 

 esters or guards receive a salary of $ 1 60. The state pro- 

 vides dwellings in the vicinity of the forests for officers 

 and foresters. At the head of the forest administration 

 is a director general, with salary of $2,400, and having 

 rank corresponding to that of a major general in the army; 



