COXE’s TRAVELS IN NORWAY.

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As Norway , therefore, does not produce fufficient corn for its own confumptiofl,Denmark enjoys the exclufive privilege of fupplying with grain that part called Suden-fields, comprehending the two governments of Aggerhuus and Chriftianfand. Thismonopoly frequently occalions a fcarcity; but though fometimes attended with greatinconveniences and occafional diftrefs, yet will not be abolilhed without great difficulty,becaufe the Danilh nobles, who are at the head of affairs, find their intereft in its con-tinuance.

But Norway , however deficient in arable land, is exceedingly rich in pafture, andabounds in cattle. The mode of keeping cows is fimilar to that pra&ifed in the moun-tains of Switzerland . About the middle of May they are turned into meadows; to-wards the middle of June driven to the heights, or into the forefts, where they continuetill autumn. The cows are ufually tended by a woman, who inhabits a finall hut,milks them twice a day, and makes butter and cheefe on the fpot. On their returnthe cattle are paftured in the meadows, until the fnow fets in about the middle ofOctober, when they are removed to the ftables, and fed during winter with four-fifthsof ftraw, and one fifth of hay. The horfes are ufually foddered with hay during win-ter, and are feldom fent to grafs before the beginning of June. In fome places the cat-tle are fed with falted fifh.

Agriculture has been of late greatly meliorated, and the landed eftates are increafedwithin thefe laft fifty years near one third in value, a circumftance principally owing tothe labours and encouragement of the patriotic fociety, which gives premiums for thebeft improvements and inftructions in every part of farming.

The fifheries, particularly on the weftern coaft, furniffi employment and wealth tothe natives, and are the means of fupplying the beft feamen for manning the Danifhfleet in times of war. The principal fiffi, which, dried and falted, furniffi fo confidera-ble an article of exportation, are the cod, the ling, and the whiting: the livers, befides,yield train oil, and the fmalleft fiffi are given as winter fodder to the cattle.

The herring fiffiery is not fo profitable as formerly, as the ffioals, which ufed to fre-quent the coafts of Norway, in their progrefs from the North Pole , now keep at agreat diftance from thefe ffiores, and firft approach the rocks of Marftrand and Stroem-ftrand, which has transferred to the Swedes the principal herring fiffiery in thefe parts,though ftill fufficient profit accrues to thofe enterprizing fiffiermen who venture fur-ther from the coafts. Salmon are taken partly in the bays, and partly in the rivers, asthey afcend the ftream in fpring for the purpofe of fpawning, and are cured by fairingand fmoking. Mackarel might alfo be caught in much larger quantities; but many ofthe Norwegians are prejudiced againft them, from a ftrange notion, that ffioals of mac-karel often attack and devour the human fpecies, when bathing in the fea.

The extenfive forefts of Norway , which furniffi fuch riches to the proprietors, and fomuch employment to the natives, are applied to feveral purpofes. 1. For fpars, beams,and planks, which are exported in large quantities. 2. For charcoal, required forfmelting ores, for the glafs furnaces, and other manufactures. The wood ufed for thispurpofe is ufually of an inferior fort, and chiefly in the inland parts, where the tranfportof planks is too expenfive. 3. For building, the greater part of the houfes in Norway being conftrufted of wood; for although there is plenty of ftone, yet the tranfport ofthe materials, and lime, are too expenfive for common trie. 4. For the roads, which inthe more northern parts, are almoft entirely formed with wood. 5. For turpentine,for which the oldeft trees are moftly ufed. 6. For fencing and enclofing the fields,quickfet hedges being almoft unknown. The wood ufed for enclofures is chiefly pine

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