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360 “ COXE’s TRAVELS IN NORWAY,
As Norway, therefore, does not produce fufficient corn for its own confumptior,
Denmark enjoys the exclufive privilege of fupplying- with grain that part called Suden-
fields, comprehending the two governments of Aggerhuus and Chriftianfand. This
monopoly frequently occafions a fearcity; but though fometimes attended with great
inconveniences and occafional diftrefs, yet will not be abolifhed without great difficulty,
becaufe the Danifh nobles, who are at the head of affairs, find their intereft in its con-
tinuance.
But Norway, however deficient in arable land, is exceedingly rich in pafture, and
‘abounds in cattle. ‘The mode of keeping cows is fiinilar to that practifed in the moun-
tains of Switzerland. About the middle of May they are turned into meadows; to-
wards the middle of June driven to the heights, or into the fore{ls, where they continue
till autumn. The cows are ufually tended by a woman, who inhabits a fmall hut,
milks them twice a day, and makes butter and cheefe on the fpot. On their return
the cattle are paftured in the meadows, until the fnow fets in about the middle of
Oétober, when they are removed to the flables, and fed during winter with four-fifths
of ftraw, and one fifth of hay. The horfes are ufually foddered with hay during win-
ter, and are feldom fent to grafs before the beginning of June. In fome places the cat-
tle are fed with falted fifh.
Agriculture has been of late greatly meliorated, and the landed eftates are increafed
within thefe latt fifty years near one third in value, a circumftance principally owing to
the labours and encouragement of the patriotic fociety, which gives premiums for the
beft improvements and inftructions in every part of farming.
The fifheries, particularly on the weftern coaft, furnifh employment and wealth to
the natives, and are the means of fupplying the beft feamen for manning the Danifh
fleet in times of war. ‘The principal fifth, which, dried and falted, furnifh fo confidera-
ble an article of exportation, are the cod, the ling, and the whiting: the livers, befides,
yield train oil, and the fmalleft fith are given as winter fodder to the cattle.
The herring fifhery is not fo profitable as formerly, as the fhoals, which ufed to fre-
quent the coafts of Norway, in their progrefs from the North Pole, now keep at a
great diftance from thefe fhores, and firft approach the rocks of Marftrand and Stroem-
ftrand, which has transferred to the Swedes the principal herring fifhery in thefe parts,
though ftill fuflicient profit accrues to thofe enterprizing fifhermen who venture fur-
ther from the coafts. Salmon are taken partly in the bays, and partly in the rivers, as
they afcend the ftream in fpring for the purpofe of {pawning, and are cured by falting
and fmoking. Mackerel might alfo be caught in much larger quantities; but many or
the Norwegians are prejudiced againft them, from a ftrange notion, that fhoals of mac-
kerel often attack and devour the human fpecies, when bathing in the fea.
The extenfive forefts of Norway, which furnith fuch riches to the proprietors, and fo
much employment.o the natives, are applied to feveral purpofes. 1. For fpars, beams,
and planks, which are exported in large quantities. 2. For charcoal, required for
{melting ores, for the glafs furnaces, and other manufactures. ‘The wood ufed for this
purpofe is ufually of an inferior fort, and chiefly in the inland parts, where the tranfport
of planks is too expenfive. 3. For building, the greater part of the houfes in Norway
being conftruéted of wood ; for although there is plenty of ftone, yet the tranfport of
the materials, and lime, are too expenfive for common ule. | 4.. For the roads, which in
the more northern parts, are almoft entirely formed with wood. 5. For turpentine,
for which the oldeft trees are moftly ufed.. 6. For fencing and enclofing the fields,
quickfet hedges being almoft unknown, The wood ufed for enclofures is chiefly pine
peky
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