1086 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Transvaal forest report, I). E. Hutchins (Pretoria: Govt. Printing and Stationery 

 Off., 1904, /»/>■ 1S6, figs. SO) . — The author describes the various timber regions selected 

 for plantation sites, after which notes are given on the indigenous flora of the Trans- 

 vaal region, the forest areas are defined, and the quality and capabilities of forest 

 production are shown. 



The author suggests the extension to the Transvaal of the forest laws of Cape 

 Colony, after which notes are given on the meteorological conditions of the region, 

 forest organization, private and municipal tree planting, etc. Annotated lists are 

 given of a large number of species of trees that are believed to be suited for timber 

 production in the Transvaal, together with notes on tree planting, supplies of 

 timber, etc. 



The government forest plantation, ('. E. Leo \ t i Transvaal Agr. Jour., 3 (1905), 

 No.lO,pp. Note- are given on the government forest plantation of about 



500 acres, situated on the (lovernment Farm at Gemsbokfontein, one-fifth of which 

 •is devoted to various coniferous trees, principally Pinus Tialepensis, P. pinaster, P. 

 canariensis, and ( upressus lusitaniea. The remainder of the plantation will lie devoted 

 to Eucalyptus species, the most of which an' to be planted with a view to the pro- 

 duction of railway ties. 



In addition to the description of the plantation, a brief report is given on the 

 Bhodesian teak, in which the weight and strength of the wood are given and figures 

 presented showing the ratio of strength of this wood to a number of timhers in com- 

 mon use. 



Extra-tropical forestry, D. E. HrTcuixs (Agr. Jour. Cape fiood Hope, 26 (1905), 

 Xo. 2. pp. 171-185, figs. .'). — in continuation of notes on timber and other forest trees 

 for cultivation in South Africa, the author describes plantations which have been 

 made of hardwoods for the production of railway timbers. 



The failure of metal sleepers to give satisfactory results has, according to the author, 

 led to the importation of large quantities of wooden ties, mostly from Australia. 

 These he estimates could he readily produced in parts of South Africa, experiments 

 having shown that sample plats of Eucalyptus saligna produced an average yield of 

 over 527 cu. ft. per acre annually for the past 18 years. This rate of production is 

 said to be far in excess of the calculated production which is necessary for the eco- 

 nomic planting of trees. 



The growth of timber trees in Egypt, <i. Bonaparte (Jour. Khediv. Agr. Soc. 

 and School Agr., 6 (1904). No. •', pp. 169-177). — But little attention has been given 

 the subject of the growth of timber trees on account of the comparatively limited 

 areas which could be advantageously turned to this use. The author believes, how- 

 ever, that in some regions it would he possible to economically produce trees for vari- 

 ous purposes, and he describes a number of the best-known and most important trees 

 for culture in Egypt. 



The fixation of sand dunes and oasis protection in Tunis, L. Tellier (Bui. 

 Agr. Algeru el TSinisie, 11 (1905), No. 1, pp. 9-15).— An account is s:iven of attempts 

 made by the Forest Service of Tunis in holding in check the sand dunes about some 

 of the oases in southern Tunis. 



The methods that have been successfully pursued in Gascony have been applied, 

 but the conditions were complicated somewhat by the fact that the sands in Tunis 

 are more shifting and the surface rock is rapidly disintegrating, forming new sources 

 of material. The work of fixing the dunes was begun in 1888 and the usual methods 

 of sand binding were resorted to. Grasses were planted, especial use being made of 

 Aristida pungens, and various kinds of brushwood were employed. Where the 

 dunes were temporarily checked it was found possible to secure a good growth of a 

 number of shrubs, especially Rcetama rcetam and Tamarix africana. Attempts have 

 been made to introduce various exotic species, such as acacias, Parkinsonia, etc., 

 with varying success. 



