92 BOOKS AND CURRENT LITERATURE 



In cutting the tuber for seed, the size of the piece should be the 

 criterion to have in mind rather than the number of eyes to the piece. 

 The piece should be compact and as nearly uniform in size as possible. 

 One eye, or even half of an eye to a piece, will suffice if the piece is of 

 suitable size. 



The idea that the terminal eyes are more vigorous and for that 

 reason each piece should bear one or more of these eyes, may be safely 

 eliminated in practice. In order to make use of the middle or basal 

 eyes for seed, they must be separated from the terminal eyes. 



Buds near a cut surface will produce sprouts more quickly than those 

 in the middle of the piece. Cutting the tubers from side to side as 

 much as possible will bring the most eyes near a cut surface. 



This investigation should settle for once and all the conflicting opin- 

 ions, ideas and experimentations regarding the preparation of potatoes 

 for seed. — R. P. Hibbard. 



Our National Forests. — We have had many books describing the 

 beauties and scenic grandeur of the National Forests and National 

 Parks, and it is satisfying to find that the recent volume by Boerker 1 

 is not a mere addition to this number. It is, on the other hand, an 

 account of the history and administration of the Forest Service and a 

 complete picture of its work. The fact that the author is no longer 

 connected with the Service enables him to speak appreciatively of its 

 activities, at the same time that his seven years of work in the western 

 National Forests have given him a first-hand familiarity with his sub- 

 ject. The history of the early movements for national control of our 

 forests is given, and also that of the rapid growth of the "forest reserves," 

 as they were then called. The administration of the forests is de- 

 scribed, with reference to the duties of the district supervisor, the super- 

 visor of each forest, and the men from whom technical and legal advice 

 is secured. All aspects of the field work on National Forests are de- 

 scribed and illustrated, including the gathering of the seed crop, re- 

 forestation, fire protection, the building of roads, trails, and telephone 

 lines, and the supervision of grazing and lumbering operations. The 

 importance of the forests as sources of water and as public recreation 

 grounds is brought out with considerable emphasis. Boerker's book 

 displays in every chapter the fine esprit de corps that has made the 



1 Boerker, Richard H. D. Our National Forests. Pp. 69 +• 238; figs. 80. 

 New York, The Macmillan Company, 191s. 



