FORESTRY. 481 



this work was undertaken has been amended so that the State forester is authorized 

 to make wliatever thinnings or changes that are thought necessary in the woodland, 

 and to sell the timber and devote the proceeds to the maintenance antl care of the 

 forest. t 



The Minnesota National Forest Reserve, E. S. Bruce {ForeMry and Irrly., 9 

 {190S), No. 10, pp. 489-496, figs. 5). — An account is given of the work done by the 

 Bureau of Forestry in the Minnesota National Forest Keserve, which was established 

 by act of Congress in 1902. Under the conditions of the law establishing this 

 reserve, a tract of land endjraced m the northern 2)ortion of Minnesota was set aside 

 under conditions of selection and cutting which should he determined by the Bureau 

 of Forestry of this Deiiartment. 



The Luquillo Forest Reserve, Porto Rico, J. Gifford {Forestry and Irrig., 9 

 {19()S), No. 11, pp. 5S7-541, fi'js. 5). — A brief report is given by the author of the 

 forest reserve which was established in Porto Rico by presidential proclamation on 

 January 17, 1903. The principal timber trees are enumerated and described and the 

 forest conditions are shown. The object of this reservation is not so much a source 

 of timber as to protect the headwaters of streams that rise in this region. 



An ecological study of the Big- Spring- Prairie, Wyandot County, Ohio, 

 T. A. BoNSEK {Ohio Staff Acad. ScL, Spec. Paper 7, pp. 90, figs. ^iO, map 1). — The 

 region included in this study embraces a tract of about 10 square miles, and is located 

 in Wyandot, Seneca, and Hancock counties, Ohio. The various factors which 

 influence the distribution of plants in this region are considered in detail and the 

 various plant associations are described. The investigaticjns included the study of 

 the climatic, physiographic, historical, and ecological factors. The water content 

 and low temperature of the soil is said to account for the distribution of plants, and 

 artificial <lrainage, where it has been introduced, has shown that by reducing the 

 water level the plant growth is greatly facilitated. 



The absence of trees in this region is attributed to the fact that the dense sod tends to 

 prevent the establishment of tree seedlings, and the frequent burnings have caused 

 various reversions in the plant societies. The loose character of the soil does not 

 offer a firm support for tree roots and on considerable areas forest vegetation is 

 entirely lacking. The author believes that by constructing preliminary ditches at 

 intervals of 4 rods, the entire area can be successfully drained and, as shown by 

 limited experiments, this area is well adapted to the successful cultivation of crops. 



Forestry at Biltmore, C. A. Schenck {Forestry and Irrig., 9 {1903), No. 11, pp. 

 543-547, Jigs. ;i). — A description is given of the forestry operations which are being 

 carried on upon the Yanderbilt estate at Biltmore, N. C. The forest embraces 125,000 

 acres in an almost continuous body, and the plans upon which it is being managed 

 are described. It is hoped that the forest will become remunerative within 20 years 

 from tlie beginning of management, which was in 1896. 



An interesting- phase of G-erman forestry, A. Gary {Forestry and Irrig., 9 

 {1903), No. 11, pp. 554, 555). — An account is given of the management of the Sulz- 

 burg forest of about 5,300 acres. The system under which this is managed will require 

 about 15 years for its develoi)ment, and at present about 160 cu. ft. per acre are being 

 cut in the forest. The natural regeneration of fir, beech, and oak is taking place 

 rapidly, the fir reproducing very freely. 



An average net revenue of $8 an acre has been derived from the forest during the 

 past 5 years, and each adult male inhabitant and each widow receives yearly about 

 $17 in forest revenue, which as a rule more than pays their local taxes. In addition, 

 the town has built various public works, all of which were either paid for outright 

 or were contingent on the income derived from the forest. 



Private forestry and taxation, E. Bruncken {Forestry and Irrig., 9 {1903), No. 

 10, pp. 509-512).— "Tha author reviews the present condition of taxation of forest 

 lands, and offers some suggestions which he believes would help forest development. 



