4G THE DEVELOPMENT OF BRITISH FORESTRY 



severe, it has been found that the denudation of the 

 ground is apt to push back the cultivated zone and render 

 considerable tracts uninhabitable. 



' The greatest danger to which that portion of the 

 Swedish forest still held by the landowning peasantry 

 of the country (probably amounting to over 15,000,000 

 acres) is at present exposed arises from too frequent 

 thinning. The ground gets too much exposed thereby, 

 and gradually loses its humus covering. The small spruce 

 trees then frequently wither, and, where this does not take 

 place, are uprooted by high winds, especially when the 

 trees are laden with snow. 



' To show how experts on afforestation differ as to the 

 condition and capabilities of the Swedish forests at 

 different periods, it is interesting to compare the report 

 of a Eoyal Commission in 1870 on the forests of the 

 province of Norrland with that of the Forest Department 

 last year. The former reported that, "When the Norr- 

 land forests were brought into the fullest reproductive 

 growth of which they were capable, they would produce 

 annually 174,414,570 cubic feet of logs 10 inches in 

 diameter and upwards, and 283,797,888 cubic feet of 

 smaller wood, or 458,212,458 cubic feet altogether for 

 export, in addition to local requirements ; and that, 

 taking the year 18G8 as a basis, a very considerable over- 

 cutting was then taking place." On the other hand, the 

 Swedish Forest Department reported last year that the 

 total annual growth of the whole of the Swedish forests 

 was estimated at about 1,218,909,000 cubic feet altogether, 

 of which about 176,500,000 cubic feet cannot be utilised 

 under present arrangements, but must be left to rot in 

 the woods ! Further, it is estimated that there is an over- 

 cutting at present of about 1,500,000 cubic feet annually 

 from the forests that are now accessible. That is to say, 

 if a tithe of the wood that is wasted could be brought to 



