' The extent of the crown forests in the above-named governments equals about 3,000,000* desatins, and although, according to their extent, they form less than l-3()th of the whole extent of the crown forests, nevertheless, by their value in the wood trade, they are very important. Supplying timber and wood materials for exportation, the Dnieper forests have at the same time great importance in the inland wood trade, because they furnish timber to about ten governments poor in wood.
* A desatin is equal to 2-69972 imperial acres; a rouble, 3s 4d, but according to present rate of exchange, 2s.
Constituting less than l-30th of the whole extent of the crown forests of European Ilussia, the forests under consideration realise a revenue of about 500,000 roubles, that is one- eighth of the whole income derived from forests. The necessity of more assiduously guarding these forests is the reason why in the Dnieper forests there is about one-quarter of the whole number of foresters, and that the expense of the local management forms about one-seventh of all the expenses for forest management in all the governments. By these ciphers is sufficiently demonstrated the importance of the Dnieper forests, as well in the wood trade as in the income and expenditure of the forest management.
' Of the Dnieper forests the Smolensk woods have least importance in the timber trade, because they are not conveniently situated as regards sales.
' Though situated at the sources of three basins, they are for the most part distant more than ten versts from floatable rivers, so that the expense of land transport to these constitutes the greatest parfc part of the outlay. Out of 136,000 desatins only 60,000 desatins are at a distance of tea versts from floatable rivers; the remaining mass of the forests is much further. Of the above 60,000 desatins, near the affluents of the river Moskva there are not more than 1500 desatins; near the tributary streams of the river Ourga there are about 3000 desatins, about 15,000 desatins are near the Dnieper and its affluents; and the remaining 40,000 desatins are on the tributary streams of the western Dwina and Volga Of these floating ways — the Volga, Dnieper, and Dwina — to the principal marts is very far; and only by the river Moskva to the principal marts is it about 400 versts. There are inconveniences of another kind; of the whole surface of forest estates of the government of Smolensk about 20,000 desatins compose about 400 separate forest parts, almost separate estates, of which there is not one of more than 20 desatins, and many of only 2 or 3 desatins and less. These estates have no importance in the timber trade, but in an economical sense they may be rather considered inconvenient than convenient areas, as it is difficult to manage when, with a preponderance of the coniferous trees, the whole estate occupies a space of onlv 2 or 3 desatins. No dealer will buy on such estates, and the conservation of them entails expense.
' These surfaces, considered part of the whole forest area, give an incorrect idea of the amount of income per desatin of forest surface, — that is surface convenient for forest management, not only by the productiveness of the soil, but likewise by the extent of surface. For forest management an estate of 500 square fathoms, or 2 or 3 desatins, in such a place as the government of Smolensk, cannot be convenient. With a preponderance of coniferous trees in such a surface it is difficult to state the period of recurring fellings; and with this kind of economy one cannot expect sales, nor can one expect any income remunerating the expense of guarding, when hundreds of such estates are under one forester, and are strewn over a surface of some hundreds of square versts. The conversion of these estates into rent paying estates, or the exclusion of them from the forest area, is the urgent requirement of the forest management of the Smolensk government. In consequence of this, 20,000 desatins (which make about onesixth of the Smolensk forests), we shall leave out of consideration, and only take into account the remaining 110,000 desatins.
' The government estates are inconveniently placed even with regard to the future railways, as well of that Vitebsk- Smolensk as of Orel-Smolensk; but both the railways pass through private forests abounding with firewood. These roads will pass near only three crown estates; but even then not nearer than 25 versts.
' But notwithstanding these unfavourable circumstances, the price of government wood is rising from year to year, the revenue from the forests is increasing, and in the course of six years it has more than doubled, from the sale of wood materials from the crown estates alone.
There was received in 1861, 1862. 1863i 1864, 1866,
4,605 roubles. 6,895 10,182