444 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



Silviculture (9. Cong. Intcrnat. Agr. Madrid, 1911, pp. 501-586). — This com- 

 prises tlie following papers on reforestation presented and discussed in the 

 silvicultural section of the Ninth International Congress of Agriculture, Madrid, 

 1911 : Reforestation, Its Advantages and Methods Affecting It, by C. de Camps ; 

 Reforestation, by Daubree ; The Problem of Reforestation in the Mediterranean 

 Basin, by R. Hickel ; Value of Reforestation and Methods of Accomplishing It, 

 by P. Descombes ; The Work of Official Cori^orations, Societies, and Individuals 

 in Connection with Reforestation in Spain, by R. Codorniti ; Principles of Re- 

 forestation in Denmark, by C. Dalgas ; Value of Reforestation and Methods of 

 Accomplishing It, by A. Mend&s d' Almeida; Reforestation, by M. L. de Vil- 

 morin ; and Protection and Surveillance of Trees, by Fuensanta de Palma. 



On the influence of various degrees of light and extreme temperatures 

 upon the germination of forest seed, G. Pittauee {Centbl. Gesam. Forstw., 

 38 {1912), Xos. J,, pp. 157-172; 5, pp. 213-224, figs. 2).— Experiments conducted 

 with spruce, larch, white, black, and Weymouth pine, locust, and red beech 

 seeds are reported in detail. 



The selection strip-felling and its system, C. Wagnee (Der Blendersaum- 

 schlag und sein System. Tubingen, 1912, pp. XII+368, pis. 2, figs. 73). — A 

 treatise on forestry in which the author sets forth a system of forest manage- 

 ment based on the selection strip method of felling discussed in his previous 

 work, The Principles of Spacial Arrangements in Forests (E. S. R., 20. p. 645). 



The lightning danger of various trees, E. Stahl (Die Blitzgefdhrdung der 

 VerscMedenen Baumarten. Jena, 1912, pp. 75). — This comprises an examination 

 of both scientific and popular literature dealing with the value of various tree 

 species as lightning conductors. 



Summing up the evidence as a whole it does not appear that trees are of 

 material value as lightning conductors near buildings or that they are suffi- 

 ciently dangerous to be abolished from the vicinity of a building. A com- 

 parative study of the characteristics of those trees which have been reported 

 most dangerous and those which have been reported least dangerous shows a 

 tendency for certain trees to become quickly wet from top to bottom during an 

 ordinary thunder shower. To this class of trees, which forms the best light- 

 ning conductors, belong the apple, cherry, nut trees, beeches, horse chestnut, 

 hornbeam, maple, and sycamore. The greatest loss of life and daniajre to 

 property has been caused by such trees as spruce, firs, larches, poplars, willows, 

 elms, linden, ash, pear tree, and oaks. 



Forest fire protection under the Weeks law in cooperation with States, 

 J. G. Petees (17. (8. Dept. Agr., Forest 8erv. Circ. 205, pp. 15, fig. 1). — This cir- 

 cular explains the nature of the aid rendered by the Forest Service of this De- 

 partment under section 2 of the Weeks law (E. S. R., 24. p. 498), which sec- 

 tion authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to cooperate with States in protect- 

 ing from fire the forested watersheds of navigable streams. 



A review is given of the work done in 1911, together with the results accom- 

 plished. The form of agreement for cooperative work, together with a sample 

 fire plan map of the northern district of New Hampshii-e. is appended. 



Eighth annual report of the state forester of Massachusetts, F. W. Rank 

 {Ann. Rpt. State Forester Mass., 8 {1911), pp. 15!i, pis. 8, figs. 3). — Introductory 

 considerations deal with the organization and staff of the forestry department. 

 Part 1 reviews the general forest operations for the year, including the exami- 

 nations of woodland and assistance rendered to owners, reforestation and 

 forest nursery work, forest fires and methods of control, progress of the chest- 

 nut bark disease in Massachusetts, a sketch showing a proposed cure for the 

 lumbering slash evil, numerous addresses and lectures delivered by the state for- 



