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of trees, &c, and the same were practically illustrated on the spot, the requisite instruments having been sent out beforehand. The whole was very interesting and instructive. I specially noticed a very good and simple apparatus for marking and numbering logs, of which we stand so much in need in Madras, and Herr Judeich kindly had one made for me, which I shall take with me on my retard. I also visited, by Herr Judeich's advice, the forest reviers Wernsdorf and Luppa, in the Wernsdorf division near Leipsig. The Ober-forstmeister there was kind enough to accompany me round the forests in person, along with the Oberforster. The Wernsdorf revier is particularly interesting, as it has been, and is still in process of being, converted from a hard wood into a pine forest. In 1820 almost the whole area was covered by a mixed hard-wood forest, consisting of oak, intermixed with beech, birch, alder, &c, patchy and irregular, the soil being impoverished, and requiring a change of crop. It was then decided to convert the whole gradually into a coniferous forest, and maps were drawn showing its existing condition, and what it should be after 80 years. It is marvellous how systematically and regularly the plan has been carried out. Fifty years have now elapsed, and there are coloured maps or plans made every 10 years, which show clearly the gradual change to its present state ; and by 1900, unless some unforeseen and unpreventable occurrence takes place, the ideal chart, made in 1821, will represent almost exactly the age and description of timber in each portion of the revier. In accordance with the plan also, private lands, which abutted on the forest, and in some instances intersected it more or less, have been bought up from time to time and planted, so that in place of a straggling wood, irregularly covered with timber trees of inferior growth, we have now a compact close forest, regularly wooded in sections of different ages, principally with spruce and Scotch fir, but containing also fine oak, ash, and beech, with straight and clean stems. In many cases the young oaks have been left in clearing away the beech, alder, &c, in order to plant or sow pines ; and the result of the introduction of the latter has had a wonderfully beneficial effect in the growth and healthy appearance of the trees, which are now fair specimens, standing in the midst of coniferous plantations, with their crowns free, and stem and trunk protected. The young oak plantations are particularly fine; in fact, Ido not think I have seen so good elsewhere. I would strongly recommend a visit to this revier to any of our officers visiting Saxony. It is most instructive, as showing the advantages of systematic and scientific forestry, based on plans well considered and matured by the estimating and controlling branch, and carefully carried out by successive executive officers. The increase in value of the revier (which has an area of 2,000 hectars) must be very great. Ober-forstmeister Brunst and Oberforster von Brandenstein spared no pains or trouble to insure my seeing the forests and thoroughly understanding tho conditions ; and I am sure they will be equally obliging and attentive to any one who may follow in my footsteps. The forest is about five miles distant from the Luppa Dahling Station on the Leipsig and Dresden Railway. Perhaps tho most noteworthy feature of the Saxon State forests is the absence of all communal or private rights or servitudes. This very desirable state of things has been arrived at by the application of the procedure laid down by the Forest Act of 1832, prior to the passing of which tho forests were burdened in all directions by servitudes, often vague and ill-defined, and forming a never-ending source of dispute and bad feeling betwixt the forest officers of the Crown and the people who had, or considered they had, rights in the forest. In the great majority of cases, cash payments have been the means adopted to compensate the commoners ; and although the sums awarded appeared at the time heavy, and were, I am told, very liberal, the State has gained not only in a pecuniary sense from being better able to control and consolidate the forests, but in the general welfare, increased value in stock or capital of timber, and the cessation of disputes and ever-increasing claims. I am aware that there are objections to such a settlement by payments to the existing representatives of a right in which they have only a life-interest; but, after all, the money, or what it procures in the shape of better houses, improved cultivation, &c, descends to future generations, for whose benefit and that of the public in general the forests are also maintained and improved in a manner which can never be equalled when they are encumbered by rights to pasturage, wood, turf, &c. I cannot explain how the existing state of things in this important respect has been brought about better than by submitting a short precis of the Act, for the translation of which I am mainly indebted to Mr. D'A. Vincent-, one of our forest students at Tharandt. The Commutation op Rights and Seevitxtdes in Saxony. The law which provides for the abolition of all servitudes is dated March 17, 1832. But before going into it fully, the Act or mandate of 1813, of which it forms an important part, should be studied. This mandate, dated July 30, 1813, was a forerunner to the Act of 1832, and, in a certain measure, cleared the way for it. The first paragraph says, " that as the real and essential object of woodlands is the production of wood, the secondary products (Nebennutzungen) must be so curtailed as not to interfere with the, primary and chief product (Hauplnutzung) ." The secondary products named are grazing, pasture, collecting of leaves, grass, and litter, juices of the trees and berries, and other fruits. The commoner is therefore bound to agree to any such arrangements as the owner may make for preventing the abuse of the rights, and any disadvantageous effect on the condition of the woodlands. Paragraph 5 provides that the rights of the commoner shall be restricted to his own personal and domestic wants, so that no trades can be carried on in the products he draws from the woods. By paragraph 7, no young plantation is to be opened for grazing till the plants are out of the reach of damage from the cattle, and in those newly opened, cattle are not to be driven till the 24th of June, as before that time harm might be done to the young plants. The succeeding paragraphs provide for the commoner's rights. "If common land is to be enclosed for a time for planting, pasture of equal quality and quantity must be provided for the commoner; if one or more commoners dispose of their rights, a proportional part of common land can be divided off; the'number of cattle to be pastured is to be decided by the number the commoner keeps in winter, and in cases of dispute three farmers are to decide, one appointed by each party and one by the Government."

Wernsdorf and Lappa Reviers.

Absence of communal or private rights a noteworthy feature.

JPrecis of the Porest Act of 1832 for the commutation of rights and

servitudes.