95 



the true value of these forests to the Empii^e, their influence upon the climate, the 

 rainfalls, and the consequent benefit to agricultural land, as well as to the health 

 of the population, should be taken into consideration. 



A direct benefit also results to the population from the employment of 

 numerous officers attending to the cultivation and preservation of these forests, 

 all of whom are paid and supported by the profits derived from the culture. 



It cannot be contended, therefore, that the people are taxed in order to 

 support a small army of forest officers, who are actually producers, earning more 

 than they expend. 



I find on an examination of the meagre statistics to which I have had access 

 that the profits of forest land culture have materially increased during the last 

 fifty years. 



The Kataster (Real Estate Register) shows that in Lower and Upper Austria 

 the net profit per joch was estimated at 1.41 florins in the year 1830. while in the 

 year 1880 this estimate rose to 2.62 florins per joch, an increase of almost 100 

 per cent., an incontrovertible proof that the forest laws of Austria^which were 

 passed in 1852, have been of great practical benefit to forest culture. 



This benefit is proven, not only by the increased net proceeds of a given area 

 of forest lands, but also by the growth and greater extent of the area itself. 



FOKEST PLANTING AND CULTURE METHODS. BOUNTIES IF ANY. SCHOOLS, THEIR 



ORGANIZATION AND COURSE OF STUDY. 



The method of forest planting and culture prevailing in Austria are quite 

 particularly prescribed in the forest laws. There are no bounties paid in the 

 Empire for planting or replanting of forests. 



SCHOOLS. 



The schools for forest culture were transferred in 1878 from the Minister 

 of Agriculture to the Minister for Culture and Education, but all organic order 

 and appointments of professors are made by the Ministers of Culture and 

 Education with the concurrence of the Minister of Agriculture. 



While there are undoubtedly numerous provisions of the forest culture law 

 which cannot be applied or enforced in the United States, the system inaugurated 

 in Austria to tit and educate young men for the duty of enforcing this law seems 

 beyond all question worthy of imitation to the fullest extent. 



These Austrian schools for forest culture consist of : 



A. University (hochschule). 



B. Middle or preparatory schools. 



C. Elementary or lower schools. 



The university (hochschule) is situate in Vienna; it was founded in 

 October, 1875. 



Its aim and purpose is the highest possible scientific education in land and 

 forest culture, All expenditures are borne by the State. The semesters (terms) 

 are limited to six that is, complete instruction is not perfected under six 

 semesters. 



