laws issued in 1903, the forests in question are partly in a neglected state,
and, as a rule, they suffer from excessive lumbering. It is true that
exact figures do not exist to show the extent to which this excessive
felling of timber is carried on, as, in order to obtain such figures, an
exact knowledge is required, not only of the annual growth of the forests,
but also of the amount of the timber cut every year.
Various associations, however, have long been labouring for the promotion of
forest-eeonomy in Sweden. The most important of these associations is that
called the Svenska Skogsvdrdsforeningen” (Swedish Forest Conservation Association),
which was formed in 1902 (under the name “Foreningen for skogsvard”)
Since 1903, the association has issued a journal and also, for many years
popular papers, which, from the year 1914 inclusive have ¿been replaced
by a small journal. The association which, one year after its establishment,
numbered almost 1 400 members, now has about twice that number.
It arranges annual meetings and excursions, and, among other things, devotes
special interest to the question of a general survey for the purpose of estimating
the entire timber-supplies of the kingdom. In order to obtain a thorough
investigation of this question, the Riksdag granted the means necessary to carry
out an experimental valuation of the timber-supply and the probable increase in
Varmland Lan. This valuation has now been carried out.
... -^rsto> *n P°int of time, of the associations in question is the “Foreningen
for skogsvard i Norrland”, which, since 1914 inclusive, has been re-organized
as Norrlands Skogsvdrdsforbund” (The JSIorrland Forest Conservation Union)
two other associations working for the same ends having been incorporated with
the body first mentioned. The Union dates back to 1883, since which y e a r lt
has been actively engaged in the promotion of forest economy in Norrland, by
such methods as holding meetings and arranging excursions, and by issuing
small publications, yearbooks handbooks, etc. In other parts of the country, too,
there exist active, associations for the promotion of forest economy, such hs
Skogssallskapet” and others.
In the absence of reliable statistical information with regard to the
produce of the forests and the consumption of timber, the reader must be
satisfied with the following approximate calculation.
The Produce
of the forests of Sweden, or the annual growth that can be used, has been
very variously estimated. In general, all older calculations suffer from
a common fault, viz., all of them are too low, and the result of this has
been that altogether too gloomy a view has been taken of the future of
the forests. The usable, annual produce, too, has long been on the increase,
partly in consequence of the more extensive employment of -a
rational system of forestry in the care both of the public and a considerable
number of private woods, and partly because the forest-products are
turned to better account than formerly, and also because fairly extensive
areas of naked soil have been afforested and thus rendered productive.
At present, the annual growth in question need not be set lower than 35
million cubic meters.
The following calculation has been made respecting the consumption
! of timber during 1913:
Exported unwrought and hewn timber ................................ 1 344 679 cub. m
Exported sawn tim b e r ...........................: ................................ 4 778 911 >
Exported more or less wrought timber, exclusive of wood-pulp 875 457 >
Timber employed for wood-pulp ............................................ 4 360 528 >
Timber > » mining purposes...................................... 6 000 0UU »
Timber > » other purposes................................ • . . 21000 000 »
Total 38359575 cub. m
The present consumption, therefore, should exceed usable growth by about
| 3-36 million cubic meters annually. It should be remarked, however, that
the total growth is greater than the amount of timber that is employed,
as, in certain tracts, a part of the timber that could be felled cannot be
utilized, but has to be left to decay in the forests. For example, in the
woods of Norrbotten and Vasterbotten Làns, not less than 25 % is thus
left to decay; in the other parts of Norrland and in Dalame, the proportion
is about 15 %, while in Central and Southern Sweden, it is about
5 %. The rising prices of timber, a consequence of diminished supplies
and improved communications, .are leading to the result that, in every
part of the country, the timber is turned to better account from year to
year, a circumstance which, of course, tends to diminish the excessive
felling referred to above. But on the other hand, the consumption is
continually on the increase, and it would be difficult to prophesy whether
equilibrium can be reached, so that the consumption (the amount of timber
felled) will be quite balanced by the amount of the growth. The production
of timber will probably increase in no inconsiderable degree, but the
consumption of forest-products to supply the requirements of the country
itself grows with the increase of population more rapidly, perhaps, than
that of the forest-production. I f it were possible to diminish the amount of
timber employed as fuel by an increased use of — amongst other resources
- electric power obtained from the Swedish waterfalls, for the purpose of
Seating dwellings in towns and other large centres of population, it would
he an easier task to limit the excessive felling of timber.
The re-growth of the forests takes place chiefly by nature’s own efforts; even
m those places where care is taken of the forests, this must still be thé case
to a very great degree, especially in the northern parts of the country, for
there th e - period of the year when re-planting ought to and can take place is
short, and labour is dear. Seed suitable for the district has to be gathered in the
same tract, this being a more expensive matter here than in the more southerly
parts of the country. In consequence, when the timber is being felled, suitable
seed-trees are left for the purpose of sowing the surrounding soil, and other
measures are taken to assist the growth and development of the young trees.
or this purpose, in many places, the ground is prepared by means of the wood
or hoemg the ground to assist the natural sowing. The spruce, however, is not
e singly, as this tree is liable to be broken down by the wind; however
« reproduces itself readily by seeding from the skirts of adjacent woods.
Re-growth by means of forest-plantations occur most generally in the southern
and central parts of the country. During the last decade, the Forest Conser-
HI—133179. Sweden. II.