FORESTRY. 49 



determine the green weight and rate of seasoning of timbers cut in different 

 months, tests to determine the absorptive power of seasoned timbers cut in 

 different months, and tests to determine the comparative durability of green, 

 seasoned"; and treated timbers when laid under similar conditions and with 

 various tie-plates and rail fastenings in a test track. The seasoning and 

 preservative tests, which were conducted at Tacoma and Pasco, Wash., and 

 Sandpoint, Idaho, are described and the results are tabulated and discussed. 



The general conclusions reached are that there is practically no difference in 

 the rate of seasoning of 7 by 2 and S by 1 forms of piles. The rate of seasoning, 

 as affected by the position of the pile, depends largely upon local conditions, 



Hewetl ties j)eeled when cut season much more rapidly during the first 4 

 months than unpealed ties. The weights of both peeled and unpeeled ties, 

 however, are ai»proximately uniform after a year's seasoning. The oven-dry 

 weight of Douglas fir was 2S.3 lbs. per cubic foot, the green weight varying 

 from 41.7 lbs. in February to 37 lbs. in Jul^\ The minimum air-seasoned weight 

 reached was 31.9 lbs. per cubic foot. 



Two kinds of checks were observed in the timber — radial and small honey- 

 comb. The honeycomb checks were found to cause little damage to the tie, 

 while radial checks are very destructive and often make the tie unfit for 

 service. It is advised that the practice of cutting tie and bridge timbers from 

 Douglas fir and western hemlock during June, July, August, and September 

 should be discontinued, since radial checking is particularly serious during 

 those months. Dimension material over G by in. should be partially air 

 seasoned before being shipi)ed east of tlie Cascade Mountains. 



Hewed ties peeled directly before treatment absorb more preservative than 

 those peeled when cut, provided they have seasoned for an equal length of time. 



A large number of green, seasoned, and treated ties have been placed in test 

 tracks, one on the west slope of the Cascade Mountains, near Maywood, Wash., 

 and one in western Montana, near Plains. The nature of these traclis is de- 

 scribed and illustrated and the scheme of the tests to be conducted is given. 



Forest products of the United States, 1906 ( U. S. Dept. Agr., Forest Service 

 Bui. 77, pp. 99).— This bulletin contains statistical data for 1906 relative to the 

 lumber cut of the United States, the consumption of cross-ties, pulpwood, 

 tanbark, tanning extract, and poles, the production of tight and slack cooperage 

 stock, veneer, and wood used for distillation. 



The statistics for each of these products have been previously issued in sepa- 

 rate circulars, which are noted (E. S. R., 19, pp. 74S, 848, 9.50). 



Wood pulp in Norway, F. S. S. Johnson (Daily Consular and Trade Rpts. 

 [U. S.], 1907, No. 3062, pp. 9, 10).— A brief statistical review of the wood pulp 

 industi-y of Norway. Tables ai-e given showing the quantity and value of wood 

 pulp produced at various periods from 18G9 to 1906, as w^ell as the share of the 

 product taken by each country in 1906. The production increased from GO 

 tons in 1869 to 505,627 tons in 1906, which consisted of mechanical wood pulp, 

 dry, 13,059 tons, and wet, 362,228 tons, chemical wood pulp, dry 122,923 tons, 

 and wet, 7,417 tons. Great Britain, France, and Belgium are the largest buyers 

 of Norwegian pulp wood. 



Data are also given relative to the forestry resources of Norway. 



The resinous products of the Dipterocarpaceaes of Indo-China, E. Milliau 

 and C. Crevost (Bui. Econ. Indo-Chine, n. ser., 10 (1907), No. 63, pp. 381-.'/03).— 

 A key is given to the genera and species of the Dipterocarpaceie family, includ- 

 ing the species of Dipterocarpus, Hopea, Shorea, and Anisoptera. which produce 

 resinous j^roducts used in the manufacture of varnish, furniture polishes, etc. 

 The key is prepared for the benefit of exiK)rters and manufacturers. The local 

 and botanical names of the different species are given, together with notes on 



