EUROPE: SWEDEN. 241 



for navigation. They can be used for rafting purposes, however; 

 and in the future, the power which these waterfalls represent will 

 probably be applied to practical use more than at present. 



According to the official statistics quoted, the water power used 

 for the year 1896 amounted to 140,700 horsepower, of which 17,350 

 horsepower was used by the paper and pasteboard mills, and 40,720 

 horsepower by the wood-pulp mills; but these figures probably fall 

 below the actual amount. 



I have been unable to ascertain the amount of undeveloped water 

 power, but it must be considerable. The newspapers have stated 

 that the Government alone, in Norrland, or the northern part of the 

 country, owns waterfalls representing 15,000,000 horsepower; in 

 the county of Norrbotten, sixty-three waterfalls are owned wholly 

 and thirteen partly by the Government. 



The general tendency in the country is in favor of changing the 

 laws so as to make it easier to utilize available water power. 



RAW MATERIALS FOR PAPER MAKING. 



The raw materials for pulp and paper making are wood, rags, 

 and straw. 



Sweden is rich in forests, which represent one of the most im- 

 portant sources of income to the country. They consist chiefly of 

 spruce and pine, mixed with birch, alder, and aspen. In central 

 and southern Sweden, oaks, elms, maples, linden, and ash trees are 

 also found. 



The forests in Sweden cover an area of about 19,000,000 hectares 

 (about 46,951,600 acres). Of this, the Government owns about 

 7,322,000 hectares (18,093,687 acres). The Government cares well 

 for its forests ; but the woods owned by private parties have fared 

 badly in many instances. Lately, much has been done by the Gov- 

 ernment and by semiofficial societies to prevent too great a reduction 

 of the forests by the distribution of forest seeds and plants to the 

 farmers and by encouraging the planting of trees, etc. Large woods 

 are also owned by sawmill companies, who in their own interest take 

 care that the supply of timber is not exhausted. With proper care, 

 the forests in Sweden will therefore last for many years. 



I have not been able to find out the supply of rags. The import 

 slightly exceeds the export. 



Straw is much used as fodder for cattle, packing covers for 

 bottles, etc., and I do not think that large'quantities can be obtained 

 at reasonable prices for the manufacture of pulp. Some, however, 

 is used for this purpose. 



s c R P & P 1 6. 



