FORESTRY. 55 



chemical composition of the rubber made from them, and the commercial possibili- 

 ties of rubber making in connection with them. 



Latex of Willughbeia edulis proved of a very resinous nature, exhibiting the phys- 

 ical properties neither of gutta-percha nor rubber. That portion which was insoluble 

 in acetone but dissolved by chloroform did not resemble ordinary caoutchouc in 

 appearance or properties, being soft, sticky, and inelastic. It is believed to have 

 little or no commercial value from the standpoint of rubber production. The rub- 

 ber obtained from Urceola esculenta was of fair quality, comparing favorably with that 

 known in the trade as "Tonquin." Extensive tapping experiments, however, showed 

 that only a very small amount of latex could be secured from each creeper, and that 

 the cost of tapping and collecting was so great as to prohibit rubber making from 

 this plant as a commercial industry. 



The book of town and window gardening, Mrs. F. A. Bardswell (London 

 dud New York: John Lone, 1903, pp. 105, ph. 23). — This book is intended to meet the 

 wants of city and town people who may have but little yard space to give to orna- 

 mental plants, or who may desire to grow plants in window boxes. Suggestions are 

 given for the culture of plants on balconies, roofs, in back yards, in small suburban 

 gardens, and on walls. 



This is the nineteenth volume in the series of Handbooks of Practical Gardening, 

 edited by H. Roberts, and like most of the preceding, treats the subject from the 

 English standpoint. Those engaged in the encouragement of gardening among the 

 city poor may find useful suggestions in it. 



Directions for making window gardens, W. W. Tracy ( U. S. Dipt. Ayr., Bureau 

 of Plant Industry Pamphlet, Mar. 28, 1904, pp. 8, figs. <§). — Popular directions for the 

 planting and care of window gardens. 



The school garden, L. C. Corbett ( U. S. Dept. Agr., Bureau of Plant Industry 

 Pamphlet, Feb. 25, 1904, PP- 6, dgms. 2). — Popular directions for laying out and plant- 

 ing small school gardens. 



FORESTRY. 



Manual of forestry. II, Sylviculture, W. Schlich (London: Bradbury, Agnew, 

 & ( to., Ltd., 1904, 3. ed. rev., pp. VIII-\-S93, figs. 87). — This volume treats of the forma- 

 tion, regeneration, and care of forests or woods in such a manner as to realize for 

 the proprietor the greatest returns for his investments. The subjects considered 

 are: The foundations of sylviculture, the formation and regeneration of woods, care 

 of woods, and notes on some forest trees. 



Under the heading, the foundations of sylviculture, the author considers the rela- 

 tion of climate, soil, and other local factors to forest vegetation, the development of 

 forest trees, character and composition of woods, sylvicultural systems, and methods 

 of treatment. Under the second, the preliminary work for the formation and regen- 

 eration of woods, care, etc., the preliminary work necessary for establishing forests 

 is discussed, after which, directions are given for the artificial formation and natural 

 regeneration, formation of mixed woods, and suggestions for making a choice of the 

 different methods described. 



Under the topic of care of woods, suggestions are given for the protection of woods 

 while the trees are young, the subsequent treatment to prevent crowding, and for the 

 production of large timber. The volume concludes with sylvicultural notes of 21 

 species of British forest trees, in which descriptions are given of their characteristics, 

 value for timber, etc. 



Effects of weather on tree growth, C. E. Hall (Trans, and Pror. Bot. Soc. 

 Edinburgh, 22 (1901), pt. 1, pp. 71-88).— In continuation of previous notes (E. S. U., 

 12, p. 1048) a description is given of the effects of weather on tree growth. In the 

 previous paper the conclusion arrived at was that rainfall was the most essential fac- 

 tor in the growth of trees. 



