44 FORESTRY IN POLAND. 



In 1865 the estimated value of the wood 



stolen was 99,840 roubles. 



And in 1866 it was .... 142,850 ,, 



But in 1867 it fell to 15,902 



The total loss in these three years was - 258,592 ,, 



And M, Bitney remarks : 'Considering the very small 

 remuneration given to all of the warders for their work, it 

 would be useless to go into minute estimates of the worth 

 of warders receiving salaries of one and one and a-half 

 roubles per annum. 



' For these warders, both foot and horse, they choose 

 generally men who can read and write, who are living in 

 the locality, and soldiers who have left the service with 

 medals for good conduct and attention to duty. These 

 warders may be promoted to be controul warders ; but for 

 controul warders to rise higher it is difficult, as for higher 

 duties a special training and an acquaintance with forest 

 science is required. 



' Under every forest administration there are many 

 employes called Sajeennicks; but at present they have no 

 regular employment. The foresters use them as messen- 

 gers, and they help the warders in watching the forests. 

 Formerly, when firewood was cut up and sold in the 

 Government forests, it was the work of these men to pile 

 the billets in square sajeens or fathoms, and thence came 

 the designation. At present this duty has to be performed 

 only in the forests conceded to mines, in which the wood 

 is felled and prepared by Government for use in these. 

 The Sajeennicks received no salary, but were allowed so much 

 for each fathom of wood which they piled, and since this 

 practice was discontinued, even this they have lost. This 

 would have no effect on their relations with Government 

 if the forest administration had not placed them in the 

 Crown forests as persons included in the staff of officials 

 employed in the management of the forests. Of course 

 they have no pay, they are of very little use, and it is sus- 

 pected that in an underhand way they encourage thieving. 

 The number of them in the forests is about 340. 



