FORESTRY. 755 



Itelwooii tlio 2 (lies, however, were (luite variable even in tbe same species of 

 w<v)r. The anthor concUifles that the cone-shaped die is best adapted to the 

 testlni; of metals and liomojjjeneous snlistances and that the ball-shar>ed die is 

 more snitable for testing the hardness of wood. The author jioints out the 

 simplicity of this impression method of testing the strength of wood as Indi- 

 iate<l by its hardness, and is of the opinion that it can largely take the place 

 of the comprehensive bending and compression tests when suitable machinery is 

 made for the purpose. 



Tests of treated timbers { fUn/iit. Xnrx, 60 (inOR), Xo. 1.1, p. .?.'/.S).— 

 Extensive tests of the physical projjerties of timber that has been treated by 

 jireservative i)rocesses were conducted during the year l)y S. M. Kowe, and 

 tlie results are to aitpear as a supplement to his Handbool< of Timber Preserva- 

 tion (E. S. R., 17, p. 77.5). Two tables are here giv»Mi which indicate the general 

 results secured. Tal)ie 1 shows the ultimate crushing loads and other prop- 

 erties of some treated and untreated si)ecimens, and Table 2 summarizes the 

 results of tests on the absorptive properties of timi)er. 



Report on the lumber industry in the Russian Far East, Iloncsox (Diplo. 

 (iiiil ('(ins. Ii'/its. London, Misc. Scr., y.OO.S, \o. iilO. />/). I.i, inap 1). — This re- 

 iMirt contains a brief discussion of the forest areas of Eastern Siberia and 

 Manchuria, the present status of the lumbering industry, the kinds of lumber, 

 forest control and taxation, together with the regulations and scale of export 

 duty in force in the Manchurian forest. 



The estimated forest area in the Amur and Maritime Provinces is 509,000,000 

 acres, of which 10,(^)0,000 acies belong to the Cossack administration. 



Ceara rubber from Portuguese East Africa (BiU. Imp. Insi., 6 (1908), Xo. 3, 

 pp. 2').'>-.l')U). — Analyses are given of 11 samples of ])]iintation Ceara rubber 

 from Portuguese East Africa, together with data on their preparation and notes 

 oti their commercial value. The results show that Ceara rubber of satisfactory 

 quality and vahie can be produced in that country. 



The length of the germinating period of Funtumia elastica seeds and 

 method of preparing the fruits for shipment {Bui. Off. J-Jiat Imlcpend. Congo, 

 2', (nm), Xo. 10. Sup., pp. 336, 3.37).— When F. cla.^tica fruits were stored at 

 the Eala Piotanic (Jarden for S months from the time of harvest, 4,') per cent 

 (if tlie .seed wliich was then sown germinateil. whereas of seed which was de- 

 corticated and packed in cliarcoal. liunuis, sawdust, etc., only 12 per cent 

 germinated at the end of one month after harvest. As a result of this investi- 

 gation it is reconnnended that /•'. vJastica seed be shipped in the whole thor- 

 oughly dried fruit either in tin cases or wooden boxes which should be left 

 unsealed, in order to prevent sweating during the trip. 



Rubber of Forsteronia floribunda from Jamaica (linL Imp. Inst., 6 (tOOS), 

 No. ,i, pp. .>','.), 260). — .V sample of rubber of the /•'. florihnnda vine, growing in 

 the limeston*' districts of .lauiaica, showed a crude rubber content of 7!>..'> per 

 cent iiixl a true rubber content in the dry rubber of SO p(>r cent. 



.Mthough tlie (piality is good and the rubber readily salable the supply thus 

 far has been irregular and small. 



The science of Para rubber cultivation, H. WRmiiT (CoJomho, Cciilon, IW!, 

 pp. in, pfs. .'/). — This is a series of lectures with the discussions following, de- 

 livered by the nutlior on various occasions in Ceylon and Loudon. The follow- 

 ing topics are included : Distance in i>lantlng and i)runiug ( E. S. 11., 18, p. 14.S) ; 

 nature of the Para rubber tree and lat«'X «'Xtractiou; rubber cultivation and 

 future production: rubber tapiiing demonslration : distance and inlerplant ing 

 (E. S. ]{.. IS, J). SJI) ; iind rubber cultivation in the Prilish Empire. 



The International Rubber Exposition in London. September 14-26. 1908. 

 S. SosKiN I'I'ropi n/liintrr liiihiflc, !l II'.KIS). Xn. 6. pp. 2Sr, .{.!6. pis. .i. cftiirt 

 77189—09 5 



