THE PLANT WORLD. ' 87 



The color of the wood varies in a very curious manner, and the fact of 

 this variation has given rise to the popular ])elief that there are two 

 kinds of "fir" — the "red" and "yellow fir." The latter is more even 

 in texture, and more valuable for all kinds of work, and I believe is 

 found in trees growing at the higher levels, while the lowland trees 

 seem to have the red timber. Whether the difference in color is ac- 

 tually correlated with difference in habitat is not to be asserted, but is 

 rather a question which should be answered by more extensive obser- 

 vation than 1 have been able to sive it. 



The usefulness of the luml)er is appreciated when one is told that 

 it is used in shipbuildino: and other fine construction, railroad bridoincr, 

 for flooring for which it is especially good when laid with the "grain 

 edge" up, for house building, piling, for ties and for fuel. It is 

 unique in its value for spars and masts — for which purpose it is sold as 

 "Oregon pine." 



There is another feature of the Douglas Spruce which has been 

 little observed, but which needs and deserves special study. When 

 one is walking through a piece of land from which the trees have been 

 cut away, one occasionally finds a stump which, different from the rest, 

 has resisted decay and has in a most remarkable manner, covered the 

 whole top of the exposed wood with a cap of wound tissue several 

 inches thick, according to the size of the stump. No "suckers" are 

 to be found and no sprouts occur on the stump. Now, that a stump 

 should be able to seal over its whole top with callus, and this indepen- 

 dently of foliage is noteworthy. Chlorophyll occurs in the young bark 

 of the callus, and its activity doubtless assists in the formation of the 

 necessary food. This, however, is only contributory. It may be that 

 the explanation is to be souoht in the activitv of a fungal svmbiont 

 which is doubtless to l)e found in the association with the roots. The 

 solution of the problem presented by this very unusual behaviour is 

 yet to be found. 



The Yearbook of the Department of Agriculture for 1899, just 

 published, contains a number of articles of interest to students of plant 

 life. There are accounts of forage experiments, the latest discoveries 

 in methods of ])lant breeding and seed testing, practical suggestions 

 for forest preservation, etc. The book should prove of nmch value 

 to farmers. 



