122 FORESTRY IN GERMANY. 



THURINGIA. 



REPORT OF CONSUL BISCHOFF. 



Thuringi^ is widely known for its vast forests, covering an area of over 

 fifteen hundred English square miles. The careful attention devoted to the 

 cultivation and preservation of these forests, presents such a contrast to 

 the reckless destruction of forests in the United States, that a stranger, and 

 more especially perhaps an American, is struck with wonder and admiration. 

 It is doubly so, when he observes that these forests, instead of being a source 

 of continual expense, as is generally supposed must be the case in cultivating 

 woodlands, are not only very profitable, but actually form one of the chief 

 sources of incomes of some of the Thuringian states. 



Under the name of Thuringian states are to be understood all countries 

 lying between the Prussian provinces of Saxony and Hesse-Nassau, the King- 

 doms of Bavaria and Saxony, namely : The Grand Duchy of Saxe- Weimar, 

 the Duchies of Saxe-Meiningen, Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and Saxe-Altenburg, also 

 the principalities of Schwarzburg and Reuss, with a total area of about seventy- 

 five hundred English square miles and ( 1 885 ) a population ofi,2ii,678 souls. 

 Forestry is here pursued in so careful and scientific a manner that not even 

 ponds or marshes are allowed to be drained, if it should be considered dan- 

 gerous to any of the neigboring forests. Indeed, in some parts of this con- 

 sular district, the degree of excellence in which the forests are kept, and the 

 profits which, under the most rigidly-economical management are derived 

 therefrom, are perhaps nowhere exceeded. 



A GLANCE AT GERMAN FOREST HISTORY. 



At the beginning of the Christian era a dense, primeval forest covered 

 the greater part of Germany. The inhabitants at this ancient period were 

 nomadic races, like our own Indians, who gained their subsistence mainly by 

 hunting and breeding cattle, while the entire forest lands were common 

 property, which could be used by every free person according to his needs or 

 pleasure. As a material for building purposes wood at that time possessed 

 no value. The forests were mainly appreciated by the wandering tribes for 

 the pleasant shelter which they furnished, the excellent protection against 

 foreign enemies which they afforded, and for the profits which they yielded 

 from the chase. 



The Teutons, as the ancient inhabitants of these forests were called, were 

 a terror to the Latins and the Greeks who described them as barbarians, and 

 gave gloomy accounts of their distant forest homes. 



None of the distinguished Roman heroes ever penetrated far into this 

 unexplored territory, but contented themselves with driving these Teutonic 

 hordes back to their bounds whenever they invaded Roman domain, spread- 

 ing terror and consternation among its inhabitants. 



At the early period in question whoever chose to uproot trees and clear a 

 space for cultivation came thereby into possession of the land, aiid in this 

 way began the right of ownership to the soil. The proprietorship in real 



