Cluster of houses before re-distrilnilion. 



2) R u n d a 1 e s y s t e m, that is to say, the various holders have 

 their separate allotments, hut these are so inixed up with each other that 

 each holder cannot without excessive trouble maintain and preserve his 

 plot of ground or utilise it in a serviceable manner. 



Joint ownership was especiallv to be found in the case of pasture 

 and forest and the rundalc system in the case of cultivated and culti- 

 ratable land. Under the pruniti\'e conditions existing in former times 

 the disadvantages connected with these forms of ownership were less 

 keenly felt. Joint-ownership in forests led, however, — especially after 

 timber became en article of commerce, — to uncontrolled depletion of 

 the forests, \\hile the rundalc s_\'stem (under which a single ]5roperty 

 might be split up into 100 or more small plots) prevented the separate 

 owner from A\orking the property in a rational manner and rendered 

 him in a high degree dependent on his neighbours. According as the ge- 

 neral development proceeded and the working became more intensive 

 etc. the demand for rational conditions of ownership made itself more 

 and more felt and in the beginning of the 19th centur_\' the first effec- 

 tive steps were taken by the authorities of the state in order to bring 

 about a change in the state of affairs. The first law regarding re-distri- 

 bution of intermixed holdings dates from 1S21. The law at present in 

 force was passed in 1882 with supplementary laws in 191 7 and 1921. 

 According to these laws e\-ery self-owning farmer can demand a re- 

 distribution and, if the demand is acceded to, he can have the common 

 property re-apportioned. The greater part of the costs of re-distribu- 

 tion is borne by the state. 



The re-distribution is carried out by a Redistribution Court (a spe- 



