216 FORESTRY OF NORWAY. 



' The foregoing plainly shows the scarcity of wood in 

 Soudmore, the people being obliged to import largely. 

 Matters have come to such a pass that Government ought 

 to interfere to prevent further mischief. To further this 

 end I offer the following advice : 



' 1st. That all woods attached to clerical or other offices 

 should be taken in charge by the Government. Their 

 extent is small; but doing this would spread informa- 

 tion, and awaken an interest in forest science, especially in 

 Nordrnore, where the people are intelligent enough to see 

 how profitable the forests might be made. 1 found it very 

 encouraging that the farmers voluntarily accompanied me 

 to the woods for the sake of instruction, although it was in 

 the midst of harvest. They expressed sorrow and wonder 

 that the Government had not interfered earlier. 



' 2nd. The purchase of forests on a great scale by Govern- 

 ment would also be a profitable investment, but in Souder- 

 more there are some obstacles to this. The land is much 

 subdivided and expensive ; and the rights of pasturage and 

 communism would be an almost insuperable obstacle to 

 the purchase of great continuous stretches. It is much to 

 be regretted that the Crown lands were sold in this district. 

 ' 3rd. All Government emplo} e's should be bound to 

 assist and instruct the inhabitants in the best modes of 

 forest culture. 



' 4th. Great stretches should be planted. The climate 

 and soil are pretty good; shelter at first is all that is 

 required ; but here again we are met with the obstacles of 

 rights of pasturage and communal privileges. 



' 5th. Scientific planting and development should be 

 steadily carried on. Something has already been done in 

 this direction by Storthingsmand Aarflot, and Judge 

 Thamb, by a distribution of seed ; but with small result, 

 except in attracting attention to the subject, which it has 

 now done in some measure.' 



As is the case with this so is it with others of the reports 

 from forest officials, they all ring the changes on the same 



