The reasons for this automatfe division of the country into quite separate regions are layfel; topographical. While the level plaies are particularly suitable foy/ the growing of wheat, rye, barley, oats and maize, the mountainous frontier regions not only supply the coal, lignite and some of the ores necessary to a great manufacturing industry, but are generally unsuitable ior profitable agricultural cultivation on a considerable scale. Thus, while the agricultural industries, including forestry and fisheries, employ about 24 per cent. of the working population of the Republic, manufacturing industry employs more than 38 per cent, the remainder being employed in trade, finance, transport and other essential services.
A substantial surplus for export is shown in the production of grain, particularly barley, dnd the country also produces nearly one-fourth of the world's hops. More than three-fourths of this latter crop is exported and finds a ready market in Britain and America, The beet-sugar crop provides another useful export sur-Flus, although output has decreased in recent years. The central plain is well served also in the matter of livestock and dairy products. Finally, forests cover about one-third of the total area of the country.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.