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most of the States exposes the grain to several dangers
during the most important period of its growth. On
an average rye and wheat return 7 for one (up to
1866 it was only 6 for rye); barley about 5 for one,
and oats 5½ for one (against 4 in 1866). The value
of the whole harvest in 1895 was estimated at
45½ million marks of rye, 17¼ million marks of barley,
36 millions of oats, 1½ millions of peas and beans, 1 of
mixed grain, 12¾ of potatoes, and only half a million
marks of turnips. The total harvest amounted to
114½ million marks. The harvest of 1896 was
estimated at 136 million marks; and these amounts
will be considerably increased with the development
of the dairy business. The production of grain has
increased largely during the last generation; it doubled
in amount between 1861 and 1895, and its proportion
to the population has increased from less than 4½
hectolitres per head in 1866 to nearly 5½ hectolitres
per head in 1896. Moreover, the consumption has
increased still more rapidly, and Finland cannot now
produce sufficient grain for its own use. The fact that
importation has increased even per head of the
population during the last few years may be regarded as
a proof that the country is growing in wealth and
prosperity.
The old Finnish method of agriculture was to burn
down the woods and sow seeds in the ashes round the
roots and stumps. This is profitable enough for the
persons who do it when neither the timber nor land
is of much value. Indeed, during the last generation
peasants have even grown rich by this method, which
is called the “svedje-bruk,” its more successful
practitioners having been known as “svedje-kings.” But
in modern times, when timber and land are both
valuable, this method means the destruction of capital.
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