1909.] Afforestation in Denmark, Holland, etc. 859 



Denmark. — Mr. Vice-Consul Funch states that no fixed 

 grant is made by the State in Denmark for the 

 acquisition of waste lands, but between 1867 an< ^ l &9 2 

 about 42,000 acres on the Jutland moors and 1,450 acres in 

 Seeland were purchased at a cost of ,£42,780. The expenses 

 incurred in planting the above-mentioned areas in Jutland, 

 and those which in previous years had been acquired in the same 

 Province, have in recent years amounted to ,£3,300 annually, 

 in addition to about ;£6oo per annum for fencing, roads, &c. 

 Tree planting on the dunes along the coast of Jutland, for 

 the purpose of protection from drifting sand, is, however, 

 continually going on, and the expenses during the last twenty 

 years have averaged about ^3,300 for purchase, and ,£11,100 

 for planting. 



As regards the purely waste lands there are four types 

 which can be separately distinguished. 



(1) The areas of argillaceous gravel and sand, covering the 

 Bornholm granite, are principally planted with the Silver Fir 

 {Abies pectinata), with oak on the lower-lying clay. These 

 plantations are protected with firs (Pinus sylvestris), alder, 

 and birch, until they reach a height of 10 or 12 feet, when the 

 shelter trees are removed. On some other poor soil areas red 

 pine (Picea excelsa) and Pinus sylvestris are planted. 



(2) Woods have been laid out on the large moors of Jutland 

 where the soil consists entirely of poor gravel and sand covered 

 with peat. The climate here is generally inclement, with strong 

 gales from the west and a heavy rainfall. The principal tree 

 planted is the red pine. In districts where the peat is of 

 recent formation and the areas have previously been covered 

 with wood, these trees grow freely, and no treatment is neces- 

 sary. On the older heath, where "hardpan" has developed, 

 and where the peaty layer is sour, previous cultivation is 

 required. The overlying vegetation is first burnt, and the 

 land is then ploughed repeatedly, at first lightly and after- 

 wards deeply, so as to break up the layer of "hardpan." 

 After being harrowed repeatedly, it is allowed to remain 

 fallow for two or three years before planting. Between the 

 firs, mountain pines are planted as "nurses " until the firs are 

 10 or 12 feet high, when most or all of them are removed. 

 Of late the preparation of the ground with artificial manure 



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