Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - Second part - VII. Forestry - 2. Forest Industries. By E. Arosenius, Ph. D., Royal Central Bureau of Statistics, Stockholm - Timber Cutting
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650
VII. FORESTRY OF SWEDEN’.
by contract has acquired the right, for a certain number of years,
to fell timber in the forest lands of another person, has of course no
interest in caring for the preservation of the forest, his sole aim being
to derive the greatest possible profit from the forest during the term of
the contract; and in the cases where there was no stipulation made as to
minimum dimensions, the immature timber as well was generally taken.
But even where the cutting-right was not
unlimited, many trees were felled which
ought to have been left standing as seed
trees or for other reasons, while other trees
which, from a sylvicultural standpoint, it
would have been suitable to cut down,
were left standing. By a law of 1889.
the longest period for wood-cutting leases
was restricted to 20 years. * The object of
this law was, however, only imperfectly
realized. Several saw-mill companies, in
order to secure forests sufficient for all
future wants, had previously to this already
begun to buy up the farms themselves,
and this movement was now given a new
impetus. The farms thus bought from the
peasants generally consist of a large tract of
forest land and a small area of cultivated or
cultivable land. Of course, the purchaser,
or company, has no desire to attend to
agriculture, but the arable landT is leased,
usually to the former owner, for a very
inconsiderable amount, (sometimes it is
given free of lease) on condition that the
lessee pays the taxes due on the farm.
For the care and preservation of the forests, it is undeniably advantageous that
the saw-mill oompanies obtain the possession of as great extents of forest as
possible; for the forests of which these companies have acquired the ownership, are
generally with a view to their future existence managed far better than has hitherto
usually been the case with private forests in Sweden, at least with those of the
peasants. But on the other hand, this purchase of farms entails a most serious
drawback, inasmuch as the agriculture on the companies’ farms is not attended to
as it ought to be. In certain cases it no doubt happens that a peasant, after selling
his farm to a saw-mill company, as their tenant has his best and calmest days,
because, having with the sum of payment managed to rid himself of former debts,
he is thus enabled without hindrance to manage his farming, so as to obtain the best
possible returns from it. Besides, it is, in various parts of Norrland and Dalarne,
almost impossible for a small landowner to exist on farming alone, and so it
must be considered an advantage for hirn to be able to expect an extra income
from work done in the forests of the saw-mill companies. The låte owner has,
* From 1905 inclusive this period will further be rednced, viz., to 5 years, see p. 632.
Saw-frame.
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