6o FORESTRY IN GERMANY. 



The annual product of wood in Silesia is estimated at 3.50 festmeters 

 (i festmeter equals about 33 cubic feet Prussian) per hectare of forest, mak- 

 ing a 'total of 3,921,699 festmeters or 129,416,067 cubic feet Prussian per 

 annum. 



The gross receipts per hectare from state forests in Silesia in 1881 were: 

 For wood, ^6.28; from other sources, |o.s6; total, I6.84. The gross ex- 

 penditures for the forests in the same year were ;^2.76 per hectare; net rev- 

 enue per hectare, ;^4.o8. For taxing purposes the revenue per hectare of 

 woodland in Silesia is estimated at ;g 1.07; of tilled land, at ^4.25. 



DESTRUCTION OF FORESTS. 



Among the causes of the destruction of forests can be mentioned a dis- 

 ease of young pine trees known here as the "Schiitte-Krankheit," which 

 first manifests itself by a discoloration of the bark, which turns red, then a 

 reddish brown. In the early spring the pine needles drop off the infected 

 trees, beginning at the lower branches. The drying up process always be- 

 gins at the points of the needles, and continues till the entire tree is dead. 

 In the progress of the disorder the general appearance of the tree is that of a 

 plant dying from summer heat and drought. Other causes are the depreda- 

 tions of field mice, of the cock chafer or May-beetle, and of other insects, 

 and the water-spouts and tornadoes which occasionally visit the mountain 

 district. In recent years it has been the custom to permit the pasturing of 

 hogs in well grown forests, these animals being supposed to destroy insects 

 and their eggs. It is also stipulated in leasing the right to shoot game that 

 certain beasts and birds of prey shall not be killed without special permis- 

 sion. Especially are mentioned the hedgehog, bat, owl (except the horned 

 owl), buzzard, and other vermin exterminators. The killing of badgers and 

 foxes is likewise frequently interdicted for the same reason. 



As a rule trees are allowed to stand until they have reached their highest 

 value. Beech trees are usually felled at the age of 100 to no years; pines 

 and firs at 80 to 100, and oaks at 120 to 160 years, while alders and birches 

 are cut down at 40 to 60 years. In renewing the forests transplanting from 

 seed shoots is the usual rule, but speeding alone is often sufficient, with the 

 assistance of the woodman in thinning out and preventing the choking of the 

 tender shoots by rank grass and weeds. When from any cause small clear- 

 ances have occurred self-propagation by fallen seeds and nuts sometimes 

 makes cultivation needless. Pines, firs, and larches mostly occupy the 

 poorer, sandy and stony parts, the oak and the beech requiring a richer soil. 

 In transplanting pines those of one and two years are preferred. The 

 former method of seed culture by means of the wood and field plow is falling 

 into disuse. The demand for hundreds of thousands of Christmas trees in 

 December is supplied from the plantations which need thinning out, and 

 they are cut only under the direction of the foresters. Oaks are transplanted 

 when from one to three years old, but also frequently grow to trees from the 

 acorn. 



