346 EXPEEIMENT STATION EECORD. 



The ashes: Their characteristics and management, W. D. Sterrett {U. 8. 

 Dept. Agr. Bui. 299 (.1915), pp. 88, pis. 16).— In this bulletin the author dis- 

 cusses the economic status of the ash ; differentiates the species, in regard to 

 which there is considerable confusion ; indicates the relative importance of 

 the species, including a description of the characteristics of the more impor- 

 tant kinds ; and outlines methods of forest management for commercial grow- 

 ing of ash timber. A summarized table is given of the species of ash suited 

 for forest management on different sites and in different regions of the United 

 States, together with the methods of reforestation to be used. A number of 

 bark, form, volume, and yield tables for ash are appended. 



Shortleaf pine: Its econoniic importance and forest management, W. R. 

 Mattoon (U. S. Dept. Agr. Bui. 308 {1915), pp. 66, pis. 10, figs. 7).— This bulle- 

 tin has been prepared with special reference to the management and restocking 

 of shortleaf pine areas in the Eastern and Southern States and discusses the 

 adaptability of the shortleaf pine (Pinus cchinata) for forest management, 

 present supply, annual cut of southern yellow pine, physical and mechanical 

 properties of the wood, uses, the lumber industry, stumpage value, the essen- 

 tials of forest management, protection, yield, rotation, thinnings, cutting and 

 reproduction, cutting on the National Forests of Arkansas, and regeneration by 

 sowing and planting. A number of volume and form tables, based on measure- 

 ments taken on the Arkansas National Forest and generally over the southern 

 Mi-ssissippi Valley, are appended. 



A note on the cultivation of Podophyllum emodi, R. S. Troup (Indian 

 Forester, 41 (1915), No. 10, pp. 361-S65, pis. 3). — This note embodies the re- 

 sults of observations on the growth and development of the Indian podophyllum 

 in Jaunsar, United Provinces, and of experiments in its cultivation in the same 

 locality. Special attention has been given this species because of the higher 

 percentage of podophyllotoxin in the resin of this plant than in that of the 

 American species (P. pelt a turn). 



Thus far the results of the cultural experiments show that the Indian 

 podophyllum can be cultivated easily, both from seed or from pieces of rhizome, 

 but owing to the very slow growth "of the rhizomes it is by no means certain 

 to what extent the plant can be cultivated with i)rofit. 



The tapping of the Para ruhber tree. — Some physiological experiments, 

 E. Bateson (Dept. Agr. Fed. Malay States Bui. 23 (191!,). pp. 54, pis. 8, figs. 

 IS). — The author presents the results of a number of experiments conducted at 

 the Kuala Lumpur station to determine the physiological effects of tapping on 

 Para rubber tree. The work of other investigators along similar lines is also 

 discussed. 



The present work indicates that if any depletion of the starch reserves is 

 caused by tapping, it is small in amount and temporary in duration. Examina- 

 tion of the starch reserve to determine the time for retapping is imnecessary, 

 the thickness of the renewed bark forming a safe criterion. Trees which are 

 given adequate leaf space will recover in due course from the effects of winter- 

 ing even if they are continuously tapped. The chief problem is to devise a 

 system of tapping which, over a period of years, will not be so exhaustive to 

 the tree as to check its full and natural development. Observations on trees 

 tapped on two adjacent quarters show that lateral translocation of food mate- 

 rial is possible. Actual examination of such trees failed to show any con- 

 siderable deficiency in the starch reserves. Comparative tests of the single- 

 quarter, adjacent-quarters, and oi)posite-quarters systems of tapping resulted 

 in the large.st yield of latex from the adjacent-quarters system and the smallest 

 yield from the opposite-quarters system. In equally nourished trees tapped by 



