FORESTRY IN SWITZERLAND. 20I 



or an annual average of 5,263,474, and of foliage or leaf shoots, consisting of 

 a very great variety, 2,811,439, or annually 351,430. These new plantings 

 included 4,668,332 shoots and 855 kilograms (a kilogram equals 2 pounds) 

 of seeds, which were used for the foundation of 175 new forests, embracing an 

 area of 700 hectares. The cost of these new plantings is estimated at 230,380 

 francs. Other improvements in the sum of 317,015 francs were made: 



1. Earth-works, 9,507 meters long, and 4,108 cubic meter contents. 



2. Stone-work and other masonry, 9,987 meters long, and 22,089 cubic 

 contents. 



3. Wood-work, 194,532 meters long, and 365,396 cubic contents. 



The federal contribution to the costs of these new plantings and improve- 

 ments was 258,462 francs; that is, 30 to 70 per cent, of the entire cost of 

 the new plantings, which were required for protection against landslides, 

 avalanches, &c., and 20 to 50 per cent, for new plantings involving other 

 public interests and safeguards. 



As to the methods but a slight idea can be given, as the full details would 

 be too voluminous for such a report. First, the ground is prepared for the 

 seed, which is sown, and after two years the shoots are planted in rows at such 

 distance to admit light and any needed cultivation. In two or three years 

 they are transplanted in the forest reservations from i to 2 meters apart, 

 according to the soil and character of the plant. Each plant is carefully 

 looked after and scientifically pruned and trained, each having its fair share 

 of space and light. Bounties are not paid in Switzerland. 



SCHOOLS OF FORESTRY. 



The polytechnical school, a federal institution, at Zurich, has a depart- 

 ment devoted to forestry, from which is supplied a large body of thoroughly 

 educated foresters. The course of study is of the most advanced character, 

 and is completed in three years. Under the federal forest law the government 

 extends, as it sees fit, assistance to organizations in the federal forest districts 

 for the promotion of technical forestry. Of these local and primary forest 

 schools there are many, having spring and autumn terms of three to four weeks 

 each. 



By a federal law of March, 1885, there was added to the forest department 

 of the polytechnic at Zurich a school for forest experiments, connected with 

 meteorological stations, thereby supplementing the already excellent school 

 with the means of accurate scientific and regular meteorological observations, 

 and their close and important alliance with matters of forest culture. 



FOREST PROTECTION. 



The destruction of forests is well safeguarded by the federal law of March, 

 1876, and previous to its enactment most of the cantons had rigid state laws 

 against any dangerous clearing of the forests. As a rule, any person, com- 

 mune, or corporation wishing to make a clearing must obtain the consent of 

 the forest director, or if the proposed clearing is included in whole or part 



