FORESTRY. 843 



overmature stands in which the loss by decay offsets all growth. Clear-cutting 

 methods must be practiced and artificial regeneration will be cheaper and 

 probably better than natural regeneration from scattered seed trees. 



A method of assessing fire damages in the Southwest, R. Rogers and B. 

 Moore {Foreatry Quart., 9 {1911), No. 3, pp. 412-419). — This consists of a de- 

 tailed statement of a suggested method for finding the value of forest products 

 destroyed by fire in the Southwest. 



The Biltmore stick and its use on National Forests, A. G. Jackson {For- 

 €.<<tnj Quart., 9 {1911), No. 3, pp. 406-411, fig. i).— The author has derived and 

 here presents a formula which may be used for constructing an accurate scale 

 on the Biltmore stick, an instrument which has recently been used to some 

 extent in place of calipers or diameter tape in measuring diameters of large 

 trees. Comparative measurements made with all of the above instruments 

 indicate that the Biltmore stick has a practical value as a field instrument. 



The climatic and hygienic influences of forest growth, J. M. Anders {Med. 

 Rec. [N. Y.], 80 {1911), No. 14, pp. 659-661).— A paper on this subject read 

 before the American Climatological Association, Montreal, 1911. 



Experiments on ramming forest trees, H. A. Pritchard {Ann. Sci. Bui. 

 Roy. Agr. Col. Cirencester, 1910, No. 2, pp. 89-93, pi. l).—ln 1909 a small num- 

 ber of trees of several species was planted at the college to ascertain whether 

 the results obtained by Pickering in ramming fruit trees (E. S. R., 20, p. 1034) 

 will be borne out in the case of forest trees. Four-year-old trees were used. 



During the 2 years the trees were in the ground it was quite impossible to 

 detect the rammed trees from those that were not rammed. The trees were 

 then carefully lifted out and studied. The results appear to show that extreme 

 care in digging holes and carefully si)reading out the roots is not so important 

 as packing the soil about the roots when the trees are planted. Excejjt possibly 

 for larger trees than are usually planted out for silvicultural purposes, however, 

 the results did not seem to furnish any justification for the practice of ramming, 

 provided that the soil about each tree is firmly trod upon after planting. The 

 tests are being conducted on a larger scale. 



Some useful woods of Karaerun. — II, Leguminosae, H. Harms {Notizbl. K. 

 Bot. Gartens n. Mus. Berlin, 1911, App. 21, No. 2, pp. 9-75, figs. 23).— The author 

 has brought together the important information relative to a large number of 

 timber trees of Kamerun belonging to the Leguminosae. Under each species 

 consideration is given to its botanical characteristics, anatomy of the wood, 

 distribution, native uses, and importance to European wood industries. 



Utilization of osage orange, H. Maxwell {[1911], pp. i//).— This pamphlet 

 embraces the results of an investigation of the utilization of the osage orange, 

 conducted cooperatively by the Forest Service of this Department and the 

 farm wagon department of the National Implement and Vehicle Association. 

 Data are given on the utilization of this wood for wagon parts, fence posts, 

 bridge piling, house blocks, telephone poles, and miscellaneous products. Con- 

 sideration is also given to the future supply of osage orange. 



Although the natural range of osage orange covers about 10,000 square 

 miles, the stands have been so greatly reduced that commercially the wood is 

 now found in restricted patches and strips which grouped together would not 

 exceed 400 square miles. It is concluded that a drain much smaller than the 

 present annual cut of 26,000,000 ft. b. m. will speedily deforest the remaining 

 areas. It is expected, however, that the rate of cutting will decline as scarcity 

 increases. 



The commercial mahoganies, P. Busch {Tropenpflanzer, 15 {1911), No. 9, 

 pp. 479-493). — Descriptive notes are given of the commercial mahoganies, which 



