FOKESTEY ABROAD. 79 



pies of wise forest legislation as we know them to-day. 

 But this was only one of a long series of forest laws in 

 which, from the beginning, the idea of the importance 

 of the forest to others besides its owner became stead- 

 ily stronger. The citizens of Bern have grown ever 

 more willing to place restrictions on themselves for 

 the benefit of the Commonwealth. 



There were great floods in Switzerland in 1834, and 

 they were the cause of a general awakening of interest 

 in forestry. Somewhat later a federal forest commis- 

 sion was appointed. Since the appearance of its final 

 report in 1861 the progress of forestr}^ in Switzerland 

 has been steady. In 1875 a federal forest inspector 

 was appointed, and a year later the first Swiss forest 

 law was passed. This law does not extend to the 

 whole of Switzerland, but only to the Alps and the 

 steeper foothills. In a country of steep mountains it 

 is of first importance to guard the forests on the 

 higher slopes. Consequently all the forests on these 

 higher lands which serve to protect the lowlands against 

 floods, avalanches, and other similar dangers of wind 

 and weather are put in charge of the Swiss federal 

 forest service. 



A great saying of Landolt. "Our forest laws," said 

 Elias Landolt, a great and simple man, whose name 

 stands first among Swiss foresters, "are intended to 

 work more through instruction, good example, and 

 encouragement than by severe regulations. This 

 method is somewhat slower than one which should 

 involve harsher measures, but the results achieved are 

 more useful and lasting. When forest owners do some- 

 thing because they are convinced of its usefulness it is 



