FORESTRY. 747 



ban, were discovered near Mayaguez. Seeds of this variety are being propa- 

 gated with the hope of introducing its cultivation among the planters. Leaf 

 weevils are still doing much damage to coffee and experiments for their control 

 have thus far been unsuccessful. Coffee leaf blight and borers in the shade 

 trees continue unchecked thus far. Stilbum flavidum is spreading rapidly in 

 the vicinity. 



The crop of coffee in the O^-acre renovated grove was considerably damaged 

 by storms, only 2,468 lbs. of coffee being harvested and marketed as compared 

 with 2,723 lbs. in the previous year. The total cost of producing 100 lbs. of 

 coffee was $5.25 and the average price obtained $11.03. Owing to the use of 

 the crop from the young plantation for seed distribution and samples, no defi- 

 nite data were secured this year as to its cost. 



The Department of Agriculture in relation to a national law to prevent 

 the importation of insect-infested or diseased plants, James Wilson {U. S. 

 Dept. Agr., Office Secretary Circ. 37, pp. 11). — In view of an evident misunder- 

 standing as to the intent of the above proposed act in its relation toward 

 nurserymen, the present circular contains a statement of the conditions calling 

 for such legislation, a history of efforts to procure it, and an explanation of 

 the scope and working of the bill now before Congress and the relation of the 

 Secretary of Agriculture and his assistants to the enforcement of such a 

 measure. 



FORESTRY. 



The prairies in Central North America and their value for forest culture, 

 H. P. Baker {Die Priirien in ZentralnordameriUa and ihr Wert fiir Forstkultur. 

 Inaug. Diss., Univ. Miinchen, 1911, pp. 9.'t, figs. 11). — This is a dissertation on 

 this subject, based on a 4-years' study of that portion of the United States 

 situated between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains. 



The subject matter is discussed under the 2 general headings of (1) the 

 origin of the American prairies and the reason for their treelessness and (2) the 

 future importance of forests in the prairie States. Suggestions are also given 

 relative to reforestation. 



On the basis of the results of his own study, as well as those of other investi- 

 gators, the author concludes that the prairies of the Mississippi Valley were 

 covered with forests in prehistoric times, and that the subsequent absence of 

 trees on the prairies is due to a combination of causes, such as fire, wind, lack 

 of rainfall, and unfavorable soil conditions. An increase in the cultivated 

 areas and in the forest plantations will result in a considerable modification 

 of the rough wind currents as well as certain increase of moisture and rain- 

 fall. Although conditions are not so favorable for tree growth as in the States 

 east of the Mississippi, the control of prairie fires will render forest culture 

 on the prairies profitable. 



The manag'ement of Vermont forests with special reference to white pine, 

 A. F. Hawes (Vermont Sta. Bui. 156, pp. 99-139, pis. 8, figs. 8). — The purpose of 

 this bulletin is to describe the kind of thinnings and final cuttings applicable 

 to the forests of Vermont, and especially to pine forests. 



The phases discussed in part 1 include thinning and cutting, tree growth, 

 improvement thinnings, removal of underbrush, pruning, final cuttings, clean 

 cutting with planting system, and the natural reproduction of forests. Part 2 

 contains volume, yield, and growth tables for white pine as published by H. O. 

 Cook (E. S. R., 20, p. 541). Part 3 contains suggestions for and specific ex- 

 amples of the management of pure and mixed white pine stands, together with 

 a discussion of white pine seeding, market for pine, insects, diseases, and other 

 enemies of white pine, forest fires, and grazing. 



