t 
198 THE FOREST LANDS OF FINLAND. 
the bearing of this upon shipbuilding, I learned from Mr 
Wm. Crighton, British Consul at Abo, with whom I put 
myself in communication on the subject before leaving the 
country, that :— ; 
‘Timber shipbuilding is not now in the flourishing con- 
dition which it once was; and this is the case because it is 
becoming more and more difficult to obtain in the country 
suitable timber, and iron vessels, propelled by steam power 
or otherwise, are everywhere taking the place of vessels 
built of wood. But neither can I say, generally speaking, 
the iron shipbuilding trade is at present flourishing ; 
because we cannot compete on equal terms with such 
iron-producing countries with engineering advantages as 
Great Britain and Sweden. 
‘Labour is much cheaper, but also indifferent. The 
only exception is perhaps my own establishment, which is 
conducted more on foreign principles; and, in consequence 
of old and good connections, is patromised by the Russian 
Government. Besides this, most of the other engineering 
and shipbuilding concerns in the country make everything, 
whilst we only build ships and make engines. Twenty 
years ago we employed about 150 men, now we employ 
about 800, and sometimes more. 
‘The first iron steamer was built in Finland in 1850, 
and very little was done during the first ten years. 
‘Just 20 years ago I started here in the concern that 
bears my name, in company with Mr Julin, one of the 
chief merchants in this town, and during that time we have 
built steamers for all parts of Finland and Russia, from 1 
to’ 500 horse-power, and we have at the present moment six 
large steamers in hand for the Russian Government and 
private parties.’ 
SEcTION C.—HovussE-BUILDING AND CARPENTRY. 
There is a great consumption of wood in the building of 
houses in Finland, most of them being built entirely of 
that material—log laid on loy—the extremities of those 
