Le Nord : revue internationale des Pays de Nord - 01.06.1944, Blaðsíða 210

18 8
LE NORD
Gradually a large number of the hillocky fields have been
levelled so that mowing-machines and other modern agricultural
implements may be used. In connexion with other forms of
cultivation, effective manuring, etc., the yield has been multi-
plied in various places. Ensilage and liquid manure tanks, which
only a few years ago were rare, are now found at most farms.
Formerly all land traffic took place exclusively on foot or
on horseback. All transport was made on horseback along narrow
riding-paths, but during these 15 years a network of motor-roads
has been developed throughout the country, with which the
various farms are now connected. Bridges have been built across
practically all the rivers, and the whole country is now open
to motor traffic.
There are no railways in Iceland. It is not without interest
to notice that Iceland is perhaps the only country in the world
which has skipped the railway in the development of the means
of communication, motor traffic having completely satisfied the
demand. The giant work done by Iceland to develop her net-
work of roads has laid many times greater obligations on the
shoulders of the Icelandic people, who are few in number, than
has correspondingly been the case of the other Scandinavian coun-
tries, as these had a network of roads developed through genera-
tions to build upon, whereas Iceland few decades ago was in
possession of only the very primitive roads and bridle paths sup-
plied by nature.
In former times there were no money institutes. When the
Government sold most of its landed property, it gave the buyers
credit on reasonable conditions. This was the first great credit
given to Icelandic farmers. Formerly they had had to raise loans
with a few rich people and with tradesmen, which, however,
could be obtained to a very limited extent only.
A new period in the trade history of Iceland begins with
the establishment of public loan institutions. The capital of these
institutions inspires with new life the various branches of trade,
which thus get quite different working conditions. The demand
for loans was great, and consequently the limited capital went
where it was most quickly turned over. Agriculture here was
more badly off than commerce and the fisheries. The need for
a loan institute for agriculture therefore was particularly great.
The National Bank (Landsbanki Islands), which is a state bank,