296 FORESTRY [Bot. Absts. 



2026. Herrman. Die Keimungsenergie des Kiefernsamens in Theorie und Praxis. 

 [Germination-energy of pine seeds in theory and practice.] Naturw. Zeitschr. Forst- u. Landw. 

 17: 53-57. PL 1-2. 1919. — Haack's well-known views on germination tests, and especially 

 his "germination-energy" measure of the value of seeds for planting purposes are reviewed. 

 It is pointed out that in practice the number of seedlings secured may not, necessarily, be 

 proportionate either to the "germination-energy" or the final germination as established 

 under controlled conditions, and that many conditions external to the seed may affect the 

 nursery or field result more potently than the quality of the seed, or the depth of covering, 

 the factors which are evidently most important in tests. In peculiar circumstances the 

 germination which, in a test, would occur within the first 10 or 15 days, may not survive, but 

 may be replaced by that which would either in the germinator or elsewhere occur later and 

 under more favorable circumstances. Two instances are cited in which very good nursery 

 stands were secured after the seed had lain in the ground the whole of an unfavorable season. 

 The writer, however does not attempt to say that this "hold-over" germination, which is not 

 uncommon with the pines, represents entirely the seed which under test conditions would 

 have been the last to germinate. — C. G. Bates. 



2027. Hesselman, Henrik. Naturforskningen och de skogsbiologiska problemen. [Nat- 

 ural research and the forest biological problems.] Skogsvardsforen. Tidskr. 17: 3-11. 1919. 



2028. Hesselman, Henrik. Studier over de norrlandska tallhedarnas foryngrings- 

 villkor. II. [Studies of natural reproduction in the pine heaths of Norrland.] Skogsvards- 

 foren. Tidskr. 17:29.76. 16 fig. 1919. — In portions of Norrland, Sweden, the pine forests 

 (Pinus sylvestris) reproduce themselves with such difficulty as to cause serious concern among 

 foresters. The ground is usually covered with a dense mat of lichens, mainly Cladina alpes- 

 tris, which grow to a height of more than a decimeter. The lichen mat apparently does- not 

 seriously interfere with germination because young seedlings are abundant. They do not, 

 however, develop normally and soon die. Earlier investigations which Hesselman has car- 

 ried on for more than 10 years have shown that death is not due to drought, lack of light, 

 grazing, snow pressure, or competition with brush and lichens. Numerous chemical analyses 

 have shown that wherever the pine seedlings develop normally the soil contains a noticeably 

 higher per cent of available nitrates than where they are of poor development. The con- 

 clusion, therefore, is that available nitrogen in the soil is the critical factor. The presence 

 of decaying wood or leaves when mixed with the mineral soil seems to promote nitrification. 

 Seedlings grow much better near older trees, stumps and decaying logs than in the open. 

 Experiments of 10 years standing have shown a marked improvement as a result of mixing 

 sod with the soil, or even merely stirring up the soil with a hoe. Similar results are often 

 observed after logging operations in which the surface layer of organic matter is mixed with 

 the soil, thus promoting nitrification. — G. A. Pearson. 



2029. Hill, M. Report of the forest administration of the Central Provinces, 1917-18. 

 06 p. Nagpur, British India, 1919. — The comprehensive detailed annual report with tabular 

 statements covering the forest operations in the Provinces during the year. Out of the 

 total area of state forest of 19,649 square miles 85 per cent with an area of 16,544 square miles 

 has approved working plans. No working plans are considered necessary at the present 

 time for an area of 2503 square miles. Included in the research projects is the scientific 

 cultivation of tanvad (Cassia auriculala), for tanning purposes, which grows wild in cer- 

 tain parts of the Provinces. A tannin research laboratory is in operation at Maihar. Due to 

 the war's demand the scientific production of lac has also been undertaken and plans made 

 for propagating it on a more extensive scale. An officer will be placed especially in charge 

 of the operations which will include a demonstration of improved methods to the lac growers. 

 An example is given of replacement of inferior species of trees in the forests by more valu- 

 able trees, by pointing to the promising results obtained by sowing sandal in the Akola 

 Division. The need is indicated of investigating the utilization of myrabolan (Terminalia 

 chebula) which is of great importance in the tanning industry. In the Southern Circle the 



