782 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



A second illustration is given in the amount of water measured in a river. The 

 portion of the river where the seepage beds on either side were well covered with 

 willows, alders, and other trees, showed an increase of 38 miner's inches of water in 

 4 miles, while in the denuded region the measurements showed a shrinkage of over 

 20 miner's inches. Marked variations are reported between the morning and even- 

 ing measurements where regions have been severely burned over, while in well-for- 

 e-ted regions the difference was so slight as to be imperceptible. 



In another example cited the drainage basin of a small stream had been burned 

 over in 1885 and the water supply decreased immediately, failing entirely the season 

 after the fire. Since that time chaparral and trees have become established and the 

 water supply has reappeared and seems to be annually on the increase. 



Control of the Kansas River floods ( Forestry and Trrig., 10 {1904), No. 10, pp. 

 460-463, jig8. •>'). — Notes are given on the Kansas River Hoods, which in 1903 caused 

 losses of over S20,000,000. For the prevention of such losses it is recommended that 

 along the hanks and the watersheds of the streams trees should be planted and forest 

 conditions brought about as much as possible. 



Forestry as applied to the development of Kansas, G. W. Turner (Forestry 

 and Trrig., 10 (1904), No. 10, pp. 471-473). — Attention is called to the denuded con- 

 dition of Kansas and the necessity for the artificial production of forests. That this 

 is possible is shown by the ready growth of a number of species of trees, and the 

 increasing value due to the demand for timber of various kinds will more than com- 

 pensate for the expense, provided the plantation is properly made and cared for. 

 Notes are given on the location of the plantation and species of forest trees adapted 

 to Kansas conditions. 



Report on forestry work, A. W. Crooke (.Tour. Dept. Agr. Victoria, 2(1904), 

 No. 9, pp. 901-909). — A report is made of the work of the forestry branch of the Vic- 

 torian Government, in which it is stated that strong efforts have been made to 

 improve the reserves and conserve the present stand of timber, while at the same 

 time providing for present requirements. This has necessitated the imposition of 

 strict regulations, and serious objections have been raised against them by persons 

 immediately interested. 



The author criticises the present system of alienation of forest lands and describes 

 the royalty system, which is considered fairer, and under which the forest area of 

 the State should, in the opinion of the author, lie brought. The grazing condition 

 in the forest lands is unsatisfactory and demands revision. 



During the past year considerable work has been done in cutting railway timbers, 

 and although seriously opposed at first it lias in many instances proved advanta- 

 geous, as the removal of culls and overmatured trees has not only benefited the forest 

 but has produced a considerable revenue. 



The plantations devoted to wattle growing have been extended and new ones are 

 projected for the coming year. As far as the author's information goes, there is no 

 forest tree that produces such large areas in so small a period of time on a given 

 expenditure. While wattle cultivation has been profitable under the department 

 management, similar results have not always been attained by private individuals. 



The condition of the nurseries and plantations maintained by the State are 

 described, and considerable improvement thinning has been carried on. Notes are 

 given on the waste of timber, forest fires, general conditions, and revenue of the 

 State forests. 



The cultivation of the Australian wattle, D. G. Fairchild ( V. S. Dept. Agr., 

 Bureau of Plant Industry Bui. ~il, pt. 4, pp. 7, j>h. 3). — An account is given of the 

 cultivation of the Australian black wattle ( Acacia mollissima), the bark of which has 

 long been used for tanning purposes. The information given is largely drawn from 

 observations of plantations made in Natal, in the hope of calling attention of tanners 

 to this possible source of tanning material and possibly of stimulating the cultivation 

 of the trees in portions of the United States suited to its growth. 



