acreage at an average of from ten to twelve thousand acres 

 in the public forests and at probably from thirty to forty 

 thousand acres in those owned privately. 



Most of the forest fires which occur in Sweden are attri- 

 buted to sparks from locomotives, although, considering the 

 way in which the railways abut on the forests, fires from this 

 cause are surprisingly few in number. "Dry lightning'*, 

 common in Western Canada and frequently a cause of forest 

 fires, is unknown here. Climatic conditions also contribute 

 to keeping down the number of fires. Promiscuous invasion 

 of the woods by hunting, fishing and camping parties is dis- 

 couraged and danger from the carelessly dropped match and 

 the abandoned camp fire is thus eliminated. The laws for 

 the protection of the forests against fires are very stringent 

 and strictly enforced. There are no " Warning" signs tacked 

 to the trees. They are said to be unnecessary. The people 

 have long since been educated to a realization of the economic 

 value of the forests to the life of Sweden. Every man, woman 

 and child is a natural forest protector. 



Many of the forests, especially those in Central and 

 Southern Sweden, are traversed by good roads. In the State 

 forests the roads are built and maintained by the State. In 

 the private forests the owners are compelled to build and 

 maintain these public roads which means to them a consider- 

 able expense. Small villages, usually consisting of a few fami- 

 lies who divide their interest between cultivating small farms 

 and working in the forests, are located at frequent intervals. 

 The State and some of the private companies are promoting 

 colonization and inducing settlers to take up plots of 

 land in the forests by providing them with houses, land, a 

 small amount of capital and equipment on very generous terms, 

 and allowing them to apply their labour in the forests to 

 their indebtedness. 



These agencies all combine to reduce the fire hazards. 

 Incipient fires are quickly discovered. Help is nearly always 

 readily at hand. The law requires that every citizen between 

 16 and 60 must respond 'to a call to fight a forest fire. The 

 Swedish military is also subject to similar service when it is 

 required of them. A district forest overseer has authority, 

 when necessary, to call for a detachment of 600 soldiers from 



