X. own conlumption, Denmark enjoys the exclufive privilege of fup-
B O O K
plying with grain that part called Sudenfields, comprehending the-
two governments of Aggerhuus-. and Chriftianfand. This monopoly
frequently occafions a fcarcity of corn; but though fome-
times attended with great inconveniences and occafional diftrefs,
yet will not be aboliilied without great difficulty, becaufe the-
Danifh nobles; who are always, at the head of affairs, find their
intereft in its continuance.
But Norway, however- deficient in arable land, is- exceedingly
rich in pafture, and confequently produces much cattle. The-
mode of -keeping the cows is fimilar to that praitifed in the-
mountain’s of Switzerland. About the middle of May they
are driven to the meadows ; towards the middle of June are.
lent to pafture on the heights, Or in the midft of the forefts,
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 Oftober, when they are, removed to-
the ftables, and fed during winter with four-fifths of ftraw, and
one-fifth of hay. The horfes are ufually foddered with hay
during winter, and are feldom paftured before the beginning of
June. In feme places the cattle are fed alfo with falted fifh.
Agriculture has been of late years greatly improved in thefe-
parts, and the landed eftates are increafed within thefe laft fifty
years near one-third in their value.. This improvement is eonfiderably
fiderably owing to the labours and encouragement of the patriotic
fociety, which gives premiums for the beft improvements-
and inftruitions in every part of farming.
The fiiheries,. particularly on the weftern coaft, furnifh employment
and wealth to the natives, and are the means of fupply-
ing the fineft failors for manning the Daniih fleet in times of war.
The principal fifh, which, dried and falted, furnifh fo confiderable
an article of exportation, are the cod, the ling, and the
whiting : their livers, befides, yield train oil,, and the fmalleft. are-
given as winter fodder to the cattle.
The herring fifhery is not fo profitable as formerly, as thefe'
fifh, which ufed to frequent the coafts-of Norway, in their pro-
grefs from the North Pole, now keep at a greater-diftance from'
thefe ihores„.and ftrft. approach the rocks-of Marftrand and
Stroemftrand, which has transferred to the Swedes the principal
herring fifhery in thefe parts, though ftill fufficient profit accrues
to thofe enterprifing fifhermen who-venture further , from, the-
coafts..
The falmon are taken partly in the bays, and partly in the*
rivers, the ftreams of which they afcend for the purpofe of
fpawning in fpring. This is the mofe coftly fifh in thefe parts,
and is cured .by falting and fmoking. -
Mackerel , might alfa be taken in much larger .quantities, if
many of the Norwegians'were not prejudiced againft eating them,;
from a ftrange notion, that fhoals of mackerel often attack ani-
devour the human fpecies, when bathing in the fea..
The