Afforestation of Peat Lands in Sweden

Abstract

FOR a considerable period the Swedish Institute of Experimental Forestry has devoted extensive research to the problem of draining peat and marshy lands for afforestation purposes. Numerous investigations have been carried out with the view of gaining increased knowledge of the various properties of peat soil types and their suitability to draining by the ordinary forest method of open ditches. The importance of this study to Sweden will be evident when it is remembered that half the total exports consist of the produce from her forests, and that it is estimated that there are some 3,000,000 acres of this type of land which can be made suitable for the growth of trees.