298 The yoiinial of Forestiy. 



yard : — Close to the ground its circumference is 3 feet, at 1 foot up 2 feet 

 6 inches, at 4 feet up 2 feet 5 inches, where it parts into two principal limba, 

 the diameter of head of the tree being 28 feet, and the height of the whole 

 tree 26 feet. I cannot form any idea of its age, but an old person who has 

 known it for thirty-five years says that it seems to have altered but little in 

 that time. There was once another tree of a similar size, but it was blown 

 down during a gale a few years ago. — T. L. Bailey, Holt House, Ahheydale, 

 Sheffi.eld in the " Garden." 



TiMBEK iNoTES EKOii Oalieoenia. — The Finns Lamhertiana, or sugar pine, is 

 the best pine we have for finishing purposes, and frequently attains a 

 diameter of from 8 to 10 feet, and an altitude of 250 feet. It is often 120 feet 

 to the first limb, and " straight as an arrow." The Pinus ponderosa is more 

 durable exposed, and has a much greater strength for heavy timbers, floors, 

 joists, &c. The wood of Redwood {Sequoia sempervirens) is in every respect 

 like the wood of the big tree {Sequoia gigantea), and is second only in size to 

 the latter. Both are invaluable for lumber, and exceedingly durable. As an 

 instance of the latter quality, I will mention one example I found in the 

 Frenzo Grove. A tree about 26 feet in diameter lay prostrate ; another of 

 the same species had grown up beside it, but as it was unable to push the 

 prostrate monarch out of its way, it had grown over it six feet and eight 

 inches; and although it had probably been there hundreds of years, was 

 quite sound when I saw its thrifty young scion growing over it. The 

 timber in the "mission" buildings of California is mostly redwood; yet, 

 although nearly one hundred years have rolled away since they were built, the 

 timber is perfectly sound. Then, in specific gravity, it is lightest of all. Its 

 value, however, would be mainly for finishing purposes, as the yellow pine 

 would bear a tension of three to one where strength was needed. It splits 

 easily either way of the grain. Owing to this latter, and othfir qualities, it 

 has become almost indispensable for fence-posts and railroad ties, &c. The 

 sugar pine is easily riven, and it forms the staple timber for " stakes " and 

 " shingles." These trees do not command the attention their invaluable 

 qualities would invite aud justify. — Gardener's Montldi/. 



Forests of Sweden. — The principal part of the timber of the Swedish forests, 

 according to the Ghronique de la Societe d'Acclimatation, is furnished by the 

 Scotch pine and Norway spruce fir. The white birch is also widely diffused 

 and abundant in that kingdom. The aspen and the alder, the elm and the 

 lime, are also common, and attain large dimensions in some districts. The 

 timber of the spruce and silver fir is used in the construction of houses, ships, 

 &c. ; moreover they furnish tar, and the wood reduced to a pulp is employed 

 in the manufacture of paper. Balks and planks of these two kinds of timber 

 are largely exported. Birch wood is chiefly consumed as fuel, supplying neai'ly 

 all the coasting vessels in the Baltic. As an example of the extent of trade in 

 this article, we may mention that no less than 25,483,678 cubic feet of biz-ch- 

 wood for fuel were shipped from a single port in 1872. The wood of the 

 aspen is used in the manufacture of matches, one uf the most flourishing 

 industries of Sweden . 



A Tkle-peanting Law ix California. — By a law of California, approved 

 March 30th, 1868, the Board of Supervisors in each county are empowered to 

 authorize owners of lands to plant and cultivate, along the public highways, 

 shade and fruit trees, specifying the species to be planted, at what age, at 



