482 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Possibilities of reforestation in the ■white pine belt, l'\ Roth {Forestry and 

 Irrig., 9 {1903), No. 10, pp. 505-509, figs. 2). — A review is given of the condition of 

 portions of the white pine belt of the United States, and suggestions made for its 

 restocking. The author suggests that the Statesjihould retain or buy uj) the lands and 

 make them as productive as ])Ossible. Much of the land has no agricultural value 

 and is adapted to forest growth only. In many j)laceH simply protecting the grow- 

 ing saj)lings from tire is all that is necessary to secure restocking. In other cases 

 considerable replanting will be required. Where planting is contemplated it is 

 believed that nurseries should be established on the spot. From these, coniferous 

 plants should be set out at the age of 2 or 3 years. The species recommended for 

 trial include tlie white, Xorway, and jack pines. 



Plantations of poplars, P. Mouillefert {Jour. Agr. Prat., n. ser., 6 {1903), No. 

 43, pp. 541-543). — Attention is called to the relative merits of different species of 

 poplar for planting, and a description is given of the Canada poplar {Populus monU- 

 ifera), the Carolina poplar, a form of the Italian poplar known as black poplar or 

 P. nigra, the white poplar, quaking aspen, etc. In the selection of these trees for 

 planting, if the plantation is small, the author recommends the choice of trees that 

 have attained a height of about 3 meters. If an extensive plantation is to be made, 

 smaller trees should V)e used, or if proper precautions are taken many of the species 

 will grow readily from cuttings. 



The culture of Eucalypts, T. R. Sim {Agr. Jour, and Min. Rec. \_Natal'], 6 {1903), 

 No. 14, pp. 505-509). — Notes are given on the collection and care of Eucalyptus seed, 

 and directions for the preparation of the seed bed, the sowing of the seed, care and 

 transplanting of the seedlings, and for the final planting out of the trees. The dis- 

 tance of planting varies with the different varieties and the object for which the 

 plantation is being cultivated, whether for timber, ornament, or other purposes. 

 Notes are given on a few of the more valuable varieties, and their adaptability to 

 South African conditions, their value as timber trees being pointed out. 



The timber industry, A. O. Green {Papers and Proc. Hoy. Soc. Tasmania, 1902, 

 pp. 35-76, pis. 7). — A description is given of the timber resources of Tasmania, and 

 an account of the methods of lumbering. The principal species of timber trees which 

 are cut for export, as well as the smaller ones which are used locally, are described. 

 Experiments made to test the transverse strength, deflection, and elasticity of the 

 timber of a number of species of Tasmanian forest trees are reported, and the effect of 

 seasoning and shrinking as shown ])y different methods of cutting are noted. The 

 report concludes with a list of prices of different forest products and a tabular state- 

 ment giving the local names, and the botanical and physical characteristics of differ- 

 ent trees, together with general remarks as to their use. 



SEEDS— WEEDS. 



Tests of the vitality of vegetable seeds, E. H. Jenkins ( Coyinecticut State Sta. 

 Rpt. 1902, pt. 4, pjp. 424-4.31). — In continuation of the tests of the vitality of vege- 

 table seeds a report is given of 199 samples of field and garden seeds which were 

 tested during 1902 at the station. The methods adopted are those hitherto described 

 (E. S. R., 14, p. 364), and the results of the different tests are shown in tabular form. 



The investigations begun in 1896 on the effect of the age of seed on the vitality of 

 anj' seed have been continued, and comparisons made between the vitality of Con- 

 necticut and California grown seed. Comparisons are also given of the vitality of 

 onion seed from the crops of 1894 to date, the average for 9 consecutive years being 

 79.7 per cent. Tests of the sprouting capacity of different varieties have been con- 

 tinued, indicating, as previously reported, the White Portugal to be distini'tly inferior 

 in vitality to a number of other varieties. 



