FORESTRY. 269 



able. Etherization is most effective early in the season. After January no benefits 

 are derived from the practice. 



Forcing plants by etherization, A. Maumene (Jardin, 18 (1904), No. 400, pp. 

 20-22, figs. 2). — An account is given of the successful use of ether in the forcing of a 

 number of varieties of lilacs and spirea. 



Growing - bulbs in Illinois, G. Klehm (Amer. Gard., 25 (1904), No. 498, p. 542). — 

 The author states that since about 1885 they have grown nearly 100,000 bulbs 

 annually, consisting of tulips, narcissi, and lily of the valley. The ground selected 

 was of low, well-drained, deep, black loam and was heavily manured with stable 

 manure.. The majority of the bulbs produced were not quite so large as imported 

 bulbs, but in earliness and ease of forcing, the size of flower and length of stem when 

 grown under the same conditions, little if any differences were observable With 

 the lily of the valley the quality of the flowers, both in size and substance and 

 number of bells, was far in excess of the imported pips. 



Begonia culture for amateurs, B. C. Ravenscroft (New York: Charles Scribnt ■/•'.•>■ 

 Sons, pp. 90, pis. 4, Jigs. 13). — Popular directions are given for the cultivation of 

 begonias under glass and in the open air. 



Report of the committee on school gardens and children's herbariums for 

 the year 1903, H. L. Clapp (Trans. Massachusetts Hort. Soc. 1903, II, pp. 239-268, 

 figs. 13). — The character of the work carried on at several schools in Massachusetts 

 in growing vegetables and flowers in school gardens is outlined in more or less detail 

 and illustrated, and a list of the prizes and gratuities awarded for the children's 

 herbariums given. 



FORESTRY. 



Sylvicultural features of Larix americana, Grace E. Cooley (Forestry Quart., 



2 (1904), No. 3, pp. 148-160). — Attention is called by the writer to the American 

 larch, which, although known to be a vigorous grower, seems to have been neglected 

 by foresters and others. The investigations upon which the paper was based were 

 principally carried on in Hancock County, Maine, but additional observations were 

 reported from a number of points in northern Indiana and elsewhere. The general 

 distribution of the species throughout the western hemisphere is indicated and the 

 characteristics of growth described. 



In general the tree is closely associated with swamp localities, although the author 

 states that it grows readily in any situation where there is sufficient freedom of soil 

 and air for its development. The tree does not bear shade well and on this account 

 is not well adapted to a mixed growth. According to a number of measures given 

 the species is of rapid development when compared with other coniferous trees, 

 specimens of 45 years being more than 60 ft. in height and 18 in. in diameter. 



The larch fruits abundantly and, if given sufficient sunlight, thrives where many 

 other seedlings would not grow. This is a very important consideration, as the 

 species can only establish itself in ground unoccupied by other trees. A number of 

 points are mentioned which, the author expresses the hope, should be further eluci- 

 dated by study on the part of foresters, ecologists, and others. 



A farm woodlot, F. A. Waugh (Massachusetts Sta. Bid. 97, j)p. 19, Jigs. 13). — A 

 description is given of the woodlot belonging to the Department of Horticulture of 

 the Massachusetts Agricultural College, the author seeking to set forth by concrete 

 example the results of practical forestry under conditions which are typical of nearly 

 the whole of Massachusetts and large areas in neighboring States. 



The woodlot in question has been a source from which was obtained stove wood, 

 fencing, lumber, etc., and contains 12.5 acres. The quality of the land is rather 

 better than that which would ordinarily be used as a farm woodlot, but otherwise the 

 conditions are believed to be typical. The species of trees grown in greatest abun- 

 dance were chestnut, white oak, red oak, hard maple, yellow and white birch, 

 larch, Scotch pine, and hemlock, with small quantities of other species. 



