Agriculture of Denmark. 
319 
feet. The coal is found principally on the west coast of the 
island, by Ronno and Hasle. Formerly each yeoman dug for 
coii\ on his fields as he pleased ; lately, however, a company has 
been formed for the purpose, but it does not appear to have 
shown great energy, for the greatest depth reached in the pits is 
80 feet. The mines have consequently not given the returns 
which they probably might give under better management, but 
they prove of great service in supplying the island. 
The total annual production is from 6000 to 7000 English 
tons of inferior quality, very sulphurous and ashy, giving but 
little heat, and incapable of being burnt to coke. With respect 
to heat, 9^ cwt. of Bornholm coal is equal to 6 cwt. English coal. 
The very small general importance of this supply will be evident 
when I mention that, in 1859, 413,116 tons of coal were imported 
into the monarchy exclusively from Great Britain. 
Field Sports have ceased to be an occupation for profit, as 
was once the case, when the forests were more extensive, and 
the game and wild beasts more plentiful. As late as 1772 
wolves were found in Denmark, and, until the commencement of 
this century, wild boars ; the latter are even now to be met with 
in a royal forest in Lauenburg. Deer, once so plentiful, are now 
found only in the royal and private parks. One royal park 
(Jcegersborg), a few miles from Copenhagen, contains about 
200 stags and 800 does ; the number of hares and foxes has of 
late materially decreased, and continues to do so. On the west 
coast of the peninsula a few wild rabbits may be met with. 
The swan, the wild goose and wild duck, partridges, snipes, 
fieldfares, and, on the heaths in Jutland, the heath-birds, are the 
most common birds in Denmark. The west coast of the pen- 
insula is often frequented by a large number of sea-birds during 
a brief period of the season, in particular by a species of wild 
goose. On the island of Ertholm, in the Great Belt, and on the 
islands on the west coast of Sleswig, a number of eider-ducks are 
found. 
Of old the right of killing game was restricted either to the 
proprietors of the large estates or to the king ; the latter 
generally transferring his right to the " Amtmcend " (county 
sheriffs), who obtained a considerable revenue by leasing out 
their privilege. 
After the constitution of 1848 was granted, such an exclusive 
privilege was, in the opinion of the country, contrary to the idea 
of liberty and equality, independent of the damage suffered by 
the unprivileged. In consequence the game-law of 1851 was 
issued, by which the yeomen and all others are allowed to kill 
game on their own land ; but it appears doubtful v.diether this 
general right has not proved injurious, for the game, useful as 
