596
GERMAN EMPIRE
II. Forestry.
Forestry in Germany is an industry of great importance, conducted under the care of the State on scientific methods. About 34,473,000 acres or 25*8 per cent, of the area of the empire, were estimated to be occupied by forests in 1893. In South and Central Germany from 30 to 38 per cent, of the surface is covered with forests : and in parts of Prussia 23 '5 per cent. From forests and domains alone Prussia receives a revenue of about 4 millions sterling.
Til. Mining.
The great bulk of the minerals raised in Germany is produced in Prussia, where the chief mining districts are Westphalia, Rhenish Prussia, and Silesia, for coal and iron, the Harz for silver and copper, and Silesia for zinc. Saxony has coal, iron, and silver mines ; and Lorraine rich coal and iron ore fields.
The annual quantities of the principal minerals raised in five years are shown in the following table, the returns for 1897 being provisional only : —
1893
1894
1895
1896
1897
Tons
Tons
Tons
Tons
Tons
Coal .
73,852,300
76,741,100
79,169,300
85,690,200
91,055,000
Lignite .
21,573,800
22,064,600
24,788,400
26,780,900
29,419,500
Iron Ore
11,457,500
12,392,100
12,349,600
14,162,300
15,466,000
Zinc ore
787,900
728,600
706,400
729,900
663,900
Lead ore
168,400
162,700
161,600
157,500
150,200
Copper ore ,
585,000
588,200
633,400
717,300
700,600
Rock Salt .
669,100
734,900
686,900
758,900
763,400
Potassic salt ,
1,526,200
1,643,600
1,521,900
1,780,600
1,946,200
Other products
262,400
290,500
276,300
283,600
288,400
The total value of the minerals raised in Germany and Luxemburg in 1896 was 787 million marks ; in 1897, 859 million marks.
The following table shows particulars of the production of the foundries in Germany and Luxemburg in 1896 and the number of foundries engaged principally or partly with each metal in 1896 : —
Foundries engaged
Quantity in
Value in 1,000
1896
Average No.
"^
metric tons 1896
marks 1896
Hands 1896
Chiefly
Partly
Pig iron .
6,372,575
299,660
106
26,562
Zinc
153,100
47,108
27
3
10,467
Lead
113,793
25,032
14
10
2,902
Copper .
29,319
29,174
9
5
3,968
Silver
428
38,872
6
15
2,084
Tin,
826
952
3
—
32
Sulphur and sulph.
acid
593,150
15,313
58
19
3,183
