110 



But spite of all these precautions and prohibitive measures the lack of com- 

 bined action became painfully apparent. Moreover the individual owners were 

 refractory, resented interference, and held on to their woodlands, so that, in fact, 

 to-day the comparatively small forest area belonging to the State is what has 

 principally been acquired by direct purchase, by inheritance or by the suppres- 

 sion of monasteries, as in the Bernese Jura, in Thurgau and in Schaffhausen. 



With the advent, however, of the eighteenth century, Swiss forestry took 

 on, in an official sense at least, a more active existence. 



In 1702 Zurich, always foremost in the work, appointed a commission to 

 devise a general forestry system. In 1825 Berne followed suit, and later Frei- 

 burg, Lucerne and Schwyz took action in the same direction. From this time on 

 the several cantons managed their own forestry matters as they wished, and 

 entirely independent of each other up to ten years ago, when the imperative 

 needs of combined action having become apparent the matter was taken in hand 

 by the federal authorities, whose attention had been called to the pressing 

 demand for a legislative action to arrest the destruction of forests especially in 

 the higher mountain regions. Accordingly on the 24th of March, 1876, a law 

 was passed establishing federal control over the forests in all the mountain regions 

 of Switzerland, embracing eight entire cantons, viz., Appenzell, Glarus Graubun- 

 den, Schwyz, Tessin, Unterwalden, Uri and Valais, and parts of seven others, viz., 

 Berne, 41.48 per. cent.; Freiburg, 32.70 per cent; Lucerne 53.50 per cent ; St. 

 Gallen, 76.17 per cent ; Waadt, 22.98 per cent ; Zug, - - per cent ; Zurich, 6.86 

 per cent. 



ZURICH FOREST SYSTEM. 



As will be observed from the foregoing, Zurich has always evinced an 

 actual and especial interest in forestry matters, and the result is that her forestry 

 system at the present day is a model one, and is so regarded throughout Switzer- 

 land. Her forestry law, which has been in operation in its present form for over 

 a quarter of a century, is so complete in every detail as to form a report in itself 

 and it is therefore translated and incorporated in full herewith. 



1. ORGANIZATION. 



1. Cantonal, township, and corporation forests shall be subject to the con- 

 trol of the government forestry system. Private forests come under the same 

 provision, in so far as the safety of the others or regard for a common danger 

 renders necessary. 



2. According to article 49 of the law pertaining to the organization of the 

 government council, supreme control of the forestry system is vested in the 

 direction of the interior. A yearly sum of 8,000 francs will be allowed it for the 

 cost of management, and for the interests of forest culture, as, for instance, in 

 the award of premiums for distinguished services, establishment of a course of 

 instruction for foresters etc. 



3. The canton is divided into four forestry districts, the limits of which shall 

 be fixed by the council. 



4. The cantonal forestry board shall consist of one overforest master and 

 four district forest masters. The council is authorized to furnish an adjunct 

 thereto. In said board is vested the duty of superintending all forestry affairs. 

 The maintenance of the cantonal forest under control of the director of 

 finance is also transferred to it ; the duties of its members will be especially deter- 

 mined by official instructions from the council. 



