72 FORESTRY [Bot. Absts., Vol. IV 



dations on reforestation, improved forest engineering, recognition of importance of small 

 private forest holdings, better education for foresters and forest investigations particularly 

 in lines of silviculture, utilization, seed studies, and smoke damage. — F. S. Baker. 



469. Schwappach. [Rev. of: 8 papers on forest education in Germany. Allgem. Forst-u. 

 Jagdzeitg. 94:34, 85, 86, 88, 95, 191S; Forstwiss. Zentralbl. 40:244. 1918; Tharandter Forst. 

 Jahrb. 69: 135, 268, 320, 321, 359. 1918.] Forst. Rundschau 20: 1-7. 1919.— The discussion 

 centers upon the role of the forest colleges (forstliche Hochschulen) in the scheme of forest 

 education, particularly in view of the reduction in the number of schools necessitated by the 

 results of the war. The general opinion seems to be that the colleges should be abandoned as 

 such and merged into existing academies, technical schools or universities. — F. S. Baker. 



470. Sharples, P. P. Trees and the highways. Amer. Forestry 25: 1415-1416. 3 fig. 

 1919. 



471. Shepstone, H. J. Water tree of the Sudan. Sci. Amer. 121: 260, 272. 2 fig. 1919. 

 — The Tebeldi tree or "Baobab" of the Sudan, Adansonia digita, attains a height of 50 to 55 

 feet and an average diameter of 16 feet, maintaining the latter to d height of 25 feet or more. 

 The trunks are by nature hollow, and they are used by the natives to store water for use in the 

 dry season. Water thus stored remains sweet for a very long time, and even after a lapse of 

 two years only a slight discoloration is noticeable. From the bark the inhabitants make 

 strong and serviceable ropes. The kernels of the peculiar fruit may be crushed, mixed with 

 water and then boiled and eaten. The age of the large trees is probably great, running into 

 centuries. — Chas. H. Otis. 



472. Sieber, P. Uber Holzartenwechsel. [Suggestions regarding change of species in 

 sllvicultural practice.] Allg. Forst-u. Jagdweitg. 95: 1-6. 1919. — It has often been observed 

 in the virgin forest that there occur periodic changes of composition amongst the various 

 tree types. This change is ascribed to the depletion of the soil of certain elements peculiar 

 to the species which occupy a given site for a long time — hence a change to species of differ- 

 ent requirements follows. Since the introduction of forestry practice centuries ago, it became 

 the aim, in most instances, of foresters to convert the mixed stands into single species forests. 

 Now it has become apparent that this continuous cropping to one species has been detrimental 

 and that an actual decrease in yield is resulting. The article outlines the means and methods 

 for managing the forests so that mixed stands may be again introduced and maintained. — 

 It is pointed out that that silvicultural system is best which makes use of the observations 

 gathered from nature. There has been too much tendency to make the forests conform to a 

 prescribed "system" with the result that they have deteriorated. — Hermann Krauch. 



473. Sim, T. R. Soil erosion and conservation. South African Jour. Indust. 2: 962-968. 

 1919.— See Bot. Absts. 4, Entry 1686. 



474. Simmonds, J. H. Private forestry. New Zealand Jour. Agric. 19:152-171. 10 pi. 

 1919. — Several sections of the Marlborough District were studied to determine the relative 

 values of comparatively old tree plantations in that area. The trees are considered from the 

 standpoint of usefulness as shelter for the homestead or the farm, and general effect on the 

 country side; value as fuel, fencing, and sawn timber; suitability for any given location; and 

 methods of propagation. The species are listed in groups according to probable adaptability 

 for the different types of soil and climate. — N. J. Giddings. 



475. Skerrett, R. G. The silkworm's formidable competitor. Sci. Amer. 121:45S. 

 4 fig. 1919. — Spruce pulp is the fundamental material from which viscose silk (artificial) is 

 manufactured. — Chas. H. Otis. 



476. Tibmann, Harry D. The phenomena of drying wood. Jour. Franklin Inst. 188: 

 27-50. Fig. 1-8. 1919. — The physical processes by which water escapes from wood in the 

 process of drying are not discussed, but the chemical and anatomical features of the wood are 



