FORESTRY. 473 



removed from the pot, and the gas-saturated soil washed from the roots. Similar 

 tests are being carried on to determine the essential facts of gas injury to trees. 



Forestry and close settlement, P. MacMahon (Queensland Agr. Jour., 15 

 (1904), No. 2, pp. 599-603, figs. 4)- — An account is given of Australian forests in 

 which the relation of forestry and population is discussed. With a total area of 

 2,945,991 sq. miles in Australia proper, there is a forest area of 150,000 sq. miles, 

 amounting to about 5 per cent of the total area, while the extent of land that lias 

 been alienated or appropriated in various ways amounts to but little more than 6 per 

 cent of the total area. If these figures be continued to include all of Australasia, the 

 proportion is increased about 1 per cent. 



A discussion is given of the forest area in relation to population of different por- 

 tions of Europe, and statements made regarding the distribution of forest species, 

 number of trees grown per acre under different systems of management, etc. 



Forest fires (Forestry and Irrig., 10 (1904), No. 9, pp. 433, 434)-— During the 

 month of August disastrous forest fires occurred in Montana, Oregon, and Washing- 

 ton, the long-continued drought coupled with the very hot summer having made 

 conditions very favorable for fires. The extent of the fires, cause where known, 

 and loss are shown. During the same period extensive fires are reported from 

 various parts of British Columbia, Newfoundland, and elsewhere, the fires in British 

 Columbia being pronounced the most destructive since 1896. 



Forest fires in Maine (Forestry and Irrig., 10 (1904), No. 8, pp. 376, 377).— An 

 outline is given of investigations which have been carried on by the Bureau of For- 

 estry in cooperation with the State of Maine in studying the causes and results and 

 means of prevention of forest fires. 



Ornamental and useful subtropical trees, T. R. Sim (Natal Agr. Jour, and Min. 

 Rec, 7 (1904), No. 8, pp. 776-779, pis. 6). — Descriptions are given of a few tropical and 

 subtropical trees which have proved adapted to the coast district of Natal and which 

 are believed to be worthy of more extended cultivation than they now receive. 

 Among the species described are the date palm, banyan, cocoanut palm, mangosteen, 

 screw pine, rubber trees, flamboyant or royal Poinciana, etc. 



Reforesting mountain slopes, T. P. Lukens ( Water and Forest, 4 (1904), No. 3, 

 pp. 1-4, figs. 3). — The work which is contemplated by the Bureau of Forestry of this 

 Department in reforesting portions of southern California is described. Notes are 

 given from various sources comparing the value of forests as a protective agent against 

 erosion; comparisons made of the run-off of forested and nonfo rested lands, and the 

 various efforts that have been made to reforest the region about San Bernardino and 

 Los Angeles, Cal., are described. 



An object lesson in reforestation, A. W. Tourgee (Forestry and Irrig., 10 

 (1904), No. 8, pp. 354-361, figs. 5). — An account is given of the methods by which 

 the Landes and adjoining districts of France have been restocked with the maritime 

 pine. Nearly 700,000 acres of forest are now under cultivation which were formerly 

 barren wastes or sand dunes. 



Indirect influence of forests, H. Lafosse (Ann. Sti. Agron., 2. ser., 1902-3, II, 

 No. 2, pp. 288-312). — Some of the indirect influences of forests, such as effect on 

 temperature, as wind-breaks, as means of protecting water supply, mechanical effects 

 of roots on rocks and soils, the effect on health, etc., are discussed. 



Forest planting in -western Kansas, R. S. Kellogg (Forestry and, Irrig., 10 

 (1904), No. 7, pp. 321-326). — The forest planting which was begun along the border 

 of the Great Plains a good many years ago is said by the author to have resulted in 

 abundant success. The most extensive early plantings were on the so-called timber 

 claims, which were generally failures on account of the selection of improper species 

 and neglect. A close examination of the results obtained leaves little room for doubt- 

 ing the success of forest planting in western Kansas if the species are intelligently 

 selected and properly cared for. 



