Ar/riculture of Denmark. 
317 
subdivided: — Those on the islands and in Jutland cover about 
345,000, those in Holstein 02,500, those in Sleswig 50,000, and 
those in Laucnburg 42,500 acres of land. Tiie largest in Den- 
mark is the " Grib-forest," on Sealand, which covers an area of 
22 English square miles. 
Of all the trees grown in the country, the most important is 
the " beech," which can scarcely be surpassed in any part of the 
world. It is the national tree of Denmark, and constitutes five- 
sixths of the woods. The oak comes next, of which two kinds 
are found ; the summer oak (^Quercus pcdunciilata), and the 
winter oak [Quercus sessilijior(i). The former is the most com- 
mon, the latter being now only found in a particular district in 
Jutland and on Bornholm. This tree is usually only found in 
small groups in the beech-woods, yet in some places, as on 
Laaland and in Holstein, considerable oak-forests are to be met 
with. The fir, which was formerly the principal tree of Den- 
mark, appears to have been so totally exterminated in the be- 
ginning of this century, that nearly all the specimens now found 
have been planted since that time ; but as they grow quickly 
even in indifferent soil, and consequently give good returns, great 
attention is paid to their culture, and they will perhaps at some 
future day again take the lead in the forests of Denmark. 
Besides the above, the elder, birch, aspen, elm, maple, lime, 
and other trees, are met with. Of these, the elm and the birch 
have earlier been of great importance in tliis country, but they 
are not so now. 
A favourable change has of late taken place in the general 
management of the woods and forests, particularly the large 
forests and those under the superintendence of government or of 
keepers specially educated for the purpose, and required to pass 
examinations previous to their appointment. But the smaller 
woods, belonging to the yeomen farmers, are often badly managed, 
and afford indifferent returns. Those on the island of Bornholm, 
with the exception of the royal woods, are ill cared for. 
Several thousand acres of land, unsuited for agriculture, are 
annually planted with trees, almost exclusively firs ; this is more 
particularly the case with a great part of the barren land in 
Jutland, and is done partly on private account and partly on 
that of government. The firs thus planted, though they do not 
grow very rapidly in this sterile soil, exposed as they are to the 
stormy weather, are yet likely to give a better return than that at 
present derived from the heaths, as miserable pasture for sheep. 
On one estate in Jutland, " Frijsenborg," the property of Count 
Frijs, 448,691 fir-trees were planted lately in one year. 
The use made of the timber is two-fold : for buil ding pur- 
poses and for firewood. Formerly, when there was plenty of 
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