FORESTRY COMMISSIONER 65 



road locomotives; no data available. It may be estimated 

 that in Alsace- Lorraine, as in Prussia, 10 per cent of all 

 forest fires are caused by sparks from locomotives. 



The forest service is entirely co-ordinate and equal to 

 the other branches of the public service. The average 

 salary per annum of the "Land Forst Meister" (forest 

 councillor) is $2,200; of the * 'Oberforstmeister" $1,800 of 

 the Forstrat $1,500 the * 'Oberforster" (district manager) 

 $830; and the allowance for office and traveling expenses 

 of each officer is 1500. 27 "Oberfoerster" have the use 

 of unfurnished house, 37 an equal compensation. 



PRIVATE FORESTS . 



The aggregate extent of private forests is 766,635 acres, 

 of which 544, 670 acres are managed on forestry principles, 

 being owned by towns, villages or public institutions. The 

 forests owned by private individuals proper, aggregating 

 221,965 acres, are managed at the will of the owner except 

 as above stated. The average value per acre is uncertain; 

 it depends on growing stock, accessibility, quality of soil, 

 etc. However the average value of the private forests 

 may be roughly estimated at $275 per acre, The average 

 annual rate of net income is between one and one-half and 

 four per cent. The total forest product of Alsace-Lorraine 

 is well sustained. The municipal forests yield 70 cubic 

 feet per acre per annum . This quantity is equivalent to 

 about 140 feet of lumber, board measure, and one-half 

 a cord of fuel. The population of Alsace-Lorraine is 1,641,- 

 ooo. The area of the entire territory is 3,628,000 acres 

 of which 1,110, 1 80 acres are under forest. The annual 

 yield of raw material is 6 1 . i cubic feet per acre. Of this 

 amount 45 per cent consists of timber, and 55 per cent of 

 fuel, corresponding with about 170 feet timber, board 

 measure, and four-tenths cord of fuel. The cost of cut- 



