Early History. 175 



est of Zurich, the so-called Sihlwald in 1680-1697', and 

 to this day this corporation property, with its intensire 

 and most profitable management, is the pride of all 

 Switzerland. The Bernese cantonal forests were first 

 surveyed and placed under management from 1725 to 

 1739 and fully regulated by 1765. 



An excellent forest code for B§,le was drawn up in 1755 

 by Bishop Joseph William; and iu 1760 through the 

 propaganda of the two scientific societies of Zurich and 

 Bern, the teaching of forestry was begun, and forest or- 

 ganization in the two cantons secured in 1773 and 1786. 

 The canton of Soleure (Solothurn) was the first to start 

 a regular system of instruction, two citizens from each 

 woodland district being given the opportunity to qualify 

 themselves as foresters. 



Each canton had, of course, its own laws protecting 

 forest property against theft and fire; in the latter 

 respect especially great care was exercised and bumiog 

 of brush could only be done by peridit and under a force 

 of watchers. 



The example of Zurich and Bern in organizing the 

 management of their forest areas was followed more or 

 less by other cantons, but a real serious movement is not 

 discernible irntU the beginning of the 18th century when 

 with the impetus of modern life and trade the value of 

 forest property increased, and most cantons issued regu- 

 lative forest laws. 



Forest ordinances had from time to time attempted 

 to prevent the decrease of forest area by forbidding 

 clearings, regulating pasture, and forbidding wood ex- 

 port to other villages or cantons, a local timber famine 

 being dreaded. But only when a severe flood in 1830 



