148 EXPERlMEiSTT STATION RECORD. 



seedlings. For the larger percentage of pine seeds the optinunn germination 

 temperature is 24° C. The total percentage of germination, as well as the 

 energy of germination, was less in darkness than in light. The poorest results 

 were secured with blue light, while yellow light stood next to daylight in value. 

 The strength of the light also had considerable influence. 



Seed which gave 95 per cent germination in the laboratory gave but 39 per 

 cent under unfavorable conditions out of doors, and seed which gave 60 per cent 

 germination In the laboratory gave but 3 per cent germination out of doors, 

 showing that the difference observed in germination tests in the laboratory is 

 not a measure of their relative values for out of door planting. It was also 

 found that the seed which germinated with greatest energy under favorable 

 conditions produced more plants when sown out of doors than seed which gave 

 the same percentage of germination but were not so vigorous. 



The data secured in drying seeds at different degrees of temperature and in 

 atmospheres saturated to different degrees of moisture correspond closely to 

 that previously reported (E. S. R., IT, p. 370). Seed held at a temperature of 

 80° C. in an atmosphere saturated with 59 gm. of water per cubic meter were 

 not noticeably injured. Seed dried in an atmosphere containing from 90 to 105 

 gm. per cubic meter were injured in a temperature of 56° C. When the mois- 

 ture was raised to 190 to 296 gm. per cubic meter the seed was entirely killed, 

 which, when dried in an atmosphere containing 59 gm. per cubic meter was not 

 Injured. 



The life history of Pinus sylvestris, A. W. Boethwick (Trans. Roy. Eng. 

 Arbor. Soc, 6 {1905-6), pt. 2, pp. 205-223, pis. J/). — A monograph on the Scotch 

 pine, including an account of the fungus insects affecting it. 



Picus elastica, its natural growth and artificial propagation, E. ]M. Cov- 

 entry (Calcutta: Govt., 1!)06, pp. YI -\- 35. pis. 3). — This bulletin embodies pri- 

 marily what has been learned in Assam regarding the growing of Ficus elastica. 

 Account is given of the methods of culture and preparation of the rubber for 

 market. 



The science of para rubber cultivation, H. Wright (India Rubber Jour., n. 

 ser., 32 (li>06). To. 3. pp. I'/O-l-U). — A paper on this subject, read befoi-e the 

 Kegalla Planters" Association in Ceylon, with the discussion following. 



A compilation of notes on India rubber and gutta-percha, G. P. Ahern 

 ([P]iilii)piiic] Bur. Forestry Bui. 3, pp. JfO, figs. 2, map 1). — A large amount of 

 material relative to the culture, preparation, and uses of Ceara, Castilloa, and 

 Para rulibcr is hero brought tugethcr. 



Experiments with rubber-yielding plants in Dominica, J. .Jones (West 

 Indian Bui., 7 (190G). A o. 1. pp. 16-20, figs. 3). — The results secured at the bo- 

 tanic station in growing and tapping Castilloa elastica and Funtumia elastica 

 are reported upon. The results indicate that Castilloa is more wind resistant and 

 less subject to injury than Funtumia, and therefoi-e better suited to culture in 

 the island. 



Rubber experiments in St. Lucia, J. C. Mooke (West Indian Bui., 7 (1906), 

 Xo. 1. pp. 21-29, figs. 3). — Some data are given on tapping exjieriments with 

 Castilloa elastica. The trees were 15 to 17 years old and the average yield of 

 rubber obtained was 11.66 oz. per tree. 



What are the essentials of a State fire law? E. A. Sterling (Proc. Soc. 

 Amcr. Foresters, 1 (19(16), Xo. 3, pp. hl2-l'i0). — A pa])er on this subject de- 

 livered before the society in 1904. 



The creosoting of home-grown timber, W. B. Havelock (Agr. Students' 

 Gaz., n. ser., 13 (1906), No. 1, pp. 13-16). — A table is given showing the results 

 of tests to ascertain the absorption of creosote oil under high pressure by 56 

 kinds of timber. 



