FORESTRY. 569 



The author summarizes the bulletin, stating that while the effect of forest planting 

 mi the climate in problematical, yet it does have a decidedly favorable influence on 

 the conservation of moisture and checking of winds. Where planting is intended 

 there should be an intelligent selection of species, followed by proper planting, 

 thorough cultivation, and a definite understanding as to whether the planting should 

 be for shelter belts, ornamental, or commercial purposes. In all, about 20 species of 

 trees are discussed. 



Report of committee on forestry, 1902, J. T. Rothrock ( Pennsylvania Dept. 

 Agr. Rpt. 1903, }>p. 244-251). — According to this report the State of Pennsylvania is 

 now in possession of over .360,000 acres of forest land and negotiations are in progress 

 for 200,000 acres additional. The average price of the land has been about $1.00 per 

 acre. 



The location of the forest reservations, the character of the timber, etc., are 

 described. A nursery of 5 acres has been established in connection with one of the 

 reservations, and at present it is devoted mainly to the production of white pine 

 seedlings. It is intended to introduce red pine and various hard woods in connection 

 with other species. Attention is again called to an act of the legislature to encourage 

 the preservation of forests by providing for a rebate of taxes levied thereon, and the 

 attention of the proper officers is called to this law, which does not seem to have 

 been properly enforced. 



Attention is called to the value of wind-breaks about farm buildings, and the rela- 

 tive value of different species of trees for planting for this purpose is pointed out. 



The chestnut in southern Maryland, K. Zon ( U. S. Dept. Agr., Bureau of For- 

 estry Bui. 53, pp. 31, pis. 5). — The value and growth of the chestnut as observed in 

 the studies made in portions of southern Maryland are shown, the data being drawn 

 from measurements of several thousand chestnut trees of different ages and condi- 

 tions of growth. 



The area examined lies within the coastal plain region of the State and is com- 

 posed of unconsolidated clays, sands, and gravels which are easily eroded, and as a 

 result the surface of the country is hilly and rolling, washed into deep, narrow val- 

 leys by the small streams. The original stands of timber are mostly gone, and the 

 data presented are based largely on second-growth timber. The different forest 

 types and the sylvicultural characteristics of the chestnut are described at length. 



From the conditions observed it is concluded that the chestnut is best suited to 

 pure coppice growth, and its capacity in this respect is quite marked. The capacity 

 of chestnut to produce sprouts from the stump will not save the forest from deterio- 

 ration unless efforts are made to provide for natural reproduction from seed. Owing 

 to various causes, reproduction from seed is slow and less frequent than where sprouted 

 from stumps, but as the chestnut is not suited to the production of large timber its 

 utilization as coppice is to be preferred. 



The chestnut should be cut either in the winter or early spring, as this secures a 

 better reproduction from the stump and the timber itself will be of better quality 

 and greater durability. The tree should be cut as near the ground as possible, and 

 when 20 in. or more in diameter should be sawed, not hewed, into ties, and when 

 less than 11 in. should not be cut for ties on account of the great amount of waste. 



Administration report of the forest department in the Bombay Presidency 

 including Sind, G. P. Millett, T. B. Fry, et al. (Forest Dept., Bombay Presidency, 

 India,, Rpt. 1902-3, pp. 206, dgm. 1). — The administration reports for the northern, 

 central, southern, and Sind forest circles for the year 1902-3 are given, in which the 

 various changes in the reserved and protected forests are shown. The cost of oper- 

 ation and the results of the various investigations are stated. 



The culture and regeneration of spruce in Belgium, A. Doublet (Ing. Agr. 

 Gembloux, 14 (1904), No. 12, pp. 659-583). — A discussion is given of the spruce {l'i<-<<t 



