The Asov (Azov) Forestry Service Camp (Asover Forstet) in the province of Ekaterinoslav (now Dnipropetrovsk), 13 miles (21 km) northwest of the seaport Mariupol on the Sea of Asov, was the oldest of the eight forestry services in operation in Russia prior to World War I. It was founded in 1877, when universal military service was introduced in Russia, for Mennonite young men, who were to give forestry service to the state in lieu of military service. The forest preserves covered 4,400 acres, of which 2,700 acres were planted with forest trees by 1909. In the first year 58 men served in the forest; in 1913 there were 143. The Asov Forest contained several nurseries, which annually offered large numbers of fruit and forest trees for sale. In order to improve tree culture, the materials needed for setting out orchards were given without charge to those who were unable to pay.        

Bibliography

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, p. 179. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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