2l8 REPORT OF THE FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 



if applied when fresh, kali salts are used at times. This is a product of the 

 German mines, containing about fifty per cent sulphate of potash and thirty-five 

 per cent sulphate of magnesia. 



Silver fir and Norway spruce are the species cultivated for the most part. 

 These are transplanted when two years old, and allowed to remain until they are 

 four or five years old before they are taken to a plantation. 



In winter, to prevent the plants from heaving out by frost, they are covered 

 with leaves from deciduous trees. Twigs of fir are stuck into the beds at close 

 intervals, so that the wind will not disturb the leaf covering. 



In no European country have improved forestry methods attained a higher 

 development and degree of efficiency than in Saxony. In the United States con- 

 sular reports it is stated that there is probably no country in the world where higher 

 revenues from the forests are obtained, nor where greater or more intelligent care 

 is bestowed upon them, and the forestry publications, official or otherwise, issued 

 in that country indicate that this statement is well founded. Forests of wide 

 extent exist everywhere, not only on the Erzgebirge and on the mountains of 

 the Saxon Switzerland, but also in the vicinity of the principal cities. 



The area devoted to the formation of coniferous forests is six times that 

 given to the growth of deciduous species. Gen. C. C. Andrews,* in his "Notes 

 on European Forestry," says of the Saxon forests: "The entire area planted 

 annually varies according to circumstances. On the average it will reach 6,900 

 acres. Of this area 800 acres are planted up with seeds, and 6,100 acres are 

 planted up with plants." This statement will give some idea of the large number 

 of nurseries in Saxony which are necessary in making such extensive plantations. 



On the Olbernhau Revier, in the Erzgebirge, there are several nurseries. This 

 revier contains 4,694 acres, of which four fifths is covered with Norway spruce. 

 The nurseries are temporary ones (saatschnle unstandige) , small plots situated 

 convenient to the areas in which the plants are to be set out. 



The soil is good, consisting of disintegrated gneiss with considerable lime. 

 For the temporary nurseries, small areas only are used. When a new place is 

 selected for a "saatkamp," as the plot is called, the ground is not fertilized 

 at first; but if it is used for a second crop the ground receives an addition of 

 Thomas slag or kainit. Potash (kali) is sometimes applied instead of kainit, as 

 the latter is too strong, and if used when fresh it injures the plants at times. 



* Ninth Annual Report, Minnesota Forest Commission. St. Paul. 1904 



