i9io.] 



Reclamation of Moorland. 



Society are the cultivation of heaths where possible, afforesta- 

 tion where the land is poor, drainage of marshes and irriga- 

 tion of dry meadows, supply of marl and lime, distribution 

 of young trees, and the creation of shelter belts. The sub- 

 scription to the Society is 4s. 6d., and the number of 

 members in 1907-8 was 4,657, 



The total number of plantations under the direction of the 

 Society is 1,790, covering about 159,000 acres. Since 1885 

 the cost of planting has been partly borne by the State, 

 subject to a declaration by the owner of the woods that they 

 shall be kept as enclosed forest by himself and his successors. 

 The grant amounts to one-third of the expenditure on young 

 trees, implements, fences, roads, clearing, and drainage. 

 One-half of the grant is withheld until 13J acres have been 

 planted in one piece, and one-tenth until the plantation is 

 complete. Many farmers have planted part of their land 

 with timber, so that there are now many small woods, which 

 are of great importance on account of the shelter they afford. 

 In the case of certain types of plantation, the State grant 

 amounts to one-half of the cost of the trees planted. 



Another form of assistance is by means of the "Small 

 Plantation Societies," which receive grants from the State. 

 The officials of the Heath Society see that the money is pro- 

 perly applied, and also give advice with regard to the 

 management of small woods. The State grant for this 

 purpose in 1907 was ^4,400, and the Society also distributed 

 at half-price over fifteen million young trees. 



The distribution of marl and lime is another part of the 

 activities of the Society for which it receives a grant, and 

 it has also carried out important drainage and irrigation 

 works, particularly in Jutland. 



It was not until 1888 that the reclamation and cultivation 

 of moor or bog land occupied an important position in the 

 Society's work, but since that time the promotion of a know- 

 ledge of the best methods of their cultivation has been one 

 of its definite objects. 



The system adopted has been the establishment of demon- 

 stration fields about 2J acres in extent, and situated in some 

 easily accessible spot. The labour is provided by the owner 

 of the land, while the Society supplies artificial manures for 



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