114
AGRICULTURE ON THE RHINE.
tion. Coals are now in general use all along the Rhine
in towns. In villages, where the supply of fire-wood is
not subject to such rapid fluctuations, wood is still used for
firing. But manufactures of all kinds requiring either
furnaces or steam-engines have long been established only
in places well supplied with coals, such as on the banks of
the Rutcr, or of the UpperMoselle, and the neighbour-
hood of Aix-la-Chapelle.
Were we, however, to calculate the return of any capi-
tal sum laid out in the purchase or in the planting of
forests, from the experience of the last 100 years, 1000
cubic feet of timber, instead of being worth 4000 pence,
would a century hence be worth 60,000 pence ; and
the present value estimated at compound interest, payable
Utperiods of 30, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 years, would
be 32/. 17s. Gd. instead of 2Z. Is. Gd. In a country
where land abounds,—that is to say, where the popula-
tion has not accumulated so much as to make the provi-
sion of food matter of difficulty, there is no necessity for
reckoning with compound interest, and the land devoted
to forests being required for no other species of cultiva-
tion, it forms a capital that, at simple interest, yields its
fair return. The present investment, in purchase-money
and cost of planting necessary to secure a return of 4500
feet of timber, which we have seen is a fair yield for an
acre of forest-land, when well managed, after 150 years,
may, without anticipating a rise of prices, be estimated at
4?. to 8Z. 10$. In order therefore to bring such a portion
of the forest-land as is suited for arable uses or for mea-
dowing to the value that we have quoted for such land
on the Lower Rhine, a great increase of population and
corresponding growth of prosperity will be required.
AGKICULTUItE ON THE KHINE.
115
But this improved value cannot, for evident reasons,
be anticipated from a corresponding rise in the price
of fuel, as we have seen the value of arable land is not
raised by high prices of food, so little is the landlord
anywhere dependent upon any fixed crop for the best re-
turn, and so sure arc all to share in the growth of general
prosperity. In that part of Bavaria which lies remote
from the Rhine the price of wood is not above half that
which is paid in the Black Forest. In many of the
manufacturing districts on the Lower Rhine higher
prices are obtained, both for fire-wood and timber, than
are obtained in Baden.
Amongst the most valuable property of the villages in
Germany must be reckoned the forests which are com-
mon property. Thcir management has latterly been
taken under the guardianship of the state, and the dis-
trict forester has to be consulted both as to the plan of
cultivation and the quantity to be felled. Every village
has its supply of wood for firing and for building ; what
remains, after the village wants are covered, is sent to
the nearest market. The price of wood, like the price
of corn, thus depends upon the size of the towns where
purchasers are to be sought. In the country, e∖ery man
having enough for his own consumption, there are
scarcely any buyers. IIence the great variations in the
price of wrood in different states, whereas it may every-
where be assumed that the inhabitants of towns pay
nearly double the price that it costs the villagers.
Where towns or corporate bodies have forests as com-
mon property, the produce is generally sold at market
and the proceeds divided amongst the parties interested,
unless the situation and size of the town be such as to