536 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



and suggests some of the situations in which this plant material may be used 

 to advantage. 



The prairie spirit in landscape gardening, W. Miller {lUmois Sta. Circ. 

 184 {1915), pp. SJf, figs. 106; Abs., pp. 4, fig. 1). — In this circular the author aims 

 to show what the people of Illinois have done and can do toward designing and 

 planting public and private grounds for efficiency and beauty. 



The first chapter describes a mode of designing and planting which aims to 

 fit the peculiar scenery, climate, soil, labor, and other conditions of the prairies 

 instead of copying the style and materials of other regions. The succeeding 

 chapters discuss various phases of the prairie style of landscape gardening, 

 showing its application to the farmstead and city lot, as well as to regions other 

 than prairies. Information is also given relative to plant materials used with 

 their adaptation for specific purposes, together with a bibliography having some 

 bearing on the prairie style of landscape gardening and descriptive notes on a 

 large number of the more ornamental plants. 



The text is fully illustrated with photographic reproductions. 



FORESTRY. 



Silvicultural work of the steppe experiment forests from 1893 to 1906, 

 G. Vysotskii {Trudy Ln-nn. Opiitu. Dillii. Rofis.. J/l (li)12), pp. 1-557; obs. in 

 Zhur. Opytn. Agron. {Russ. Jour. Expt. Landw.), 15 {191 4), No. 1, pp. 12, 13). — 

 This volunie contains a description of the natural conditions in the steppe 

 region of Russia, together with the results of forest activities at three steppe 

 experimental forests from 1893 to 1907. In addition to information relative to 

 the composition and growth of forest plantings, data are given on soil studies 

 conducted for a number of years, including analyses of soil solutions taken 

 from areas where the trees failed to grow. See also a previous note by Stepanov 

 (E. S. R.. 22. p. 342.) 



The importance of phenological observations, G. X. Lamb {Forest Club 

 Ami. [Univ. Xcbr.l, 6 {1915), pp. 41-U. pi. 1). — In this paper the author calls 

 attention to the importanto and value of systematic and continuous records of 

 the time of leafing, flowering, fruiting, and leaf falling of the important con- 

 spicuous plants as a general index to the seasonal climate in any region. A 

 chart for recording phenological data is illustrated and described. A similar 

 chart, prepared by the author, for 72 of the common species of trees of the 

 eastern United Stales has boon noted (E. S. R., 33, p. 844). 



New investigations on the causes of diameter growth in trees, P. Jaccakd 

 (Notvric. Ztschr. Forst u. Landw., 13 {1915), No. 8-9. pp. ,321-360. figs. -}).— 

 Anatomical studies wore made of a number of pine trees to determine the cor- 

 rectness of the author's previously advanced hypothesis that the development 

 of any particular form in a tree is an attempt to establish a shaft with equal 

 water carrying capacity (E. S. R., 29, p. 342). 



He concludes in brief that the form of the pine stem is influenced primarily 

 by the demands of the water circulation, and the stem between the roots and 

 crown of the tree maintains itself as a shaft of equal water-conducting capacity. 

 In the crown the form of the stem adjusts itself to the constantly diminishing 

 water circulation. Any sudden alteration in the course of water-conducting 

 organs or any strong bending of the tree leads to a readjustment in diameter 

 growth, in order to reestablish uniform water-conducting capacity throughout 

 the area of the stem. 



Problems and scope of forest selection, II. Heuss {CctUbl. Gcsam. Forstic, 

 41 {19t5), No. 3-4, pp. 81-102). — A r6sum6 of progress made in breeding and 

 selection as applied to forestry in Europe. 



