1082 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Annual flowering- plants, L. ('. C'ohhktt ( T. S. Depl. Ayr., Fanners' Bui. LO-I, 

 pj). 4S, fujx. .55). — This liulk'tiu contains su<r<j;i->!tions on the uses of Howers aliout the 

 dwell iiijr, plans for school gardens, general cultural suggestions, and special directions 

 for the culture of al)Out 50 annual finworing plants. 



FORESTRY. 



Forest fires in the Adirondacks in 1903, K. ^I. Scter {U. S. Dept. Agr., 

 Bureau of Forestry C'irc. 20, jij). 7.7, map 1). — During the early summer of 190.3 over 

 600,000 acres of timber land in northern New York were Ijurned over, with a direct 

 total loss of §3,500,000. The ])urned region was thoroughly studied by agents of the 

 Bureau of Forestry for the purpose of determining the conditions which led to these 

 fires and their immediate causes. The general conditions were favorable for (ire on 

 account of the unprecedented drought of the season. The fires varied according to 

 the local conditions, being merely surface fires in some places and ground or crown 

 fires in other locations. 



Some of the more important fires in this region are described in detail and notes 

 are given on the metliods which were employed in fighting them. The most effect- 

 ive fire fighting was done between daybreak and 9 o'clock in the morning when the 

 fires were least aggressive. All of the usual methods of fighting (ire were ado{)ted. 

 Tlu' lires in general appeared to break out along the lines of railroad, and it is stated 

 that there was a lack of proper patrolling of railroad tracks, indifference on the part 

 of section men, and failure to use spark arresters on locomotives. 



Reclamation of flood-damaged lands in the Kansas River Valley by forest 

 planting, G. L. Clothier {U. S. Dept. Agr., Bureau of Forenlry C'irc. 27, pp. ■'>, fig. 

 1). — The injuries caused in the Kansas River Valley by tlie flood of 1903 fall under 

 4 heads: Sanding of the land, erosion, deposition of silt, and caving of river banks. 

 In reclaiming lands which were covered with sand it is recommended that cotton- 

 wood trees be planted at once in order to prevent the drifting of the sand to other 

 fertile lands. Cottonwood seedlings germinated in immense numbers during the 

 season of 1903 on lands which were too wet for cultivation and such seedlings may 

 be used to plant as sand binders. 



On eroded lands it is recommended that willows and cotton woods be planted or 

 that these trees be allowed to grow in order to assist in collecting silt and building up 

 the soil to its former level. 



In the protection of river banks against caving a successful scheme has been pro- 

 posed by E. Bayles. This plan consists in fastening together willow poles IS to 20 

 ft. long by means of wire and allowing these poles to remain in an inclined posi- 

 tion against the banks. They gradually become covered with soil and take root. 



Attention is called to the fact that cottonwood and catalpa are rapid growing trees 

 and may be depended upon to produce valuable crops within a comparatively short 

 period of years. 



Reforesting mountain slopes, T. P. Lfkens ( Water and Forest, 4 (1904), 

 E.dra No. 1, p. 4). — A brief account is given of the investigations of the author in 

 the problems of reforesting mountains in southern California. The plan pursued 

 consists in growing the trees in nurseries to an age of about 2 years, during which 

 time they are frequently transplanted and finally planted during the wet season so 

 as to become thoroughly established. Where trees were transi)lanted in this way a 

 large percentage grew and seemed to be in a thriving condition. Where the moun- 

 tain slopes are too steep or rocky to grow trees chaparral will be grown and data 

 obtained to compare the relative value of chaparral and forest growth as mountain 

 covers. 



A study of California forests, W. C. Hodge, Jr. {Water and Forest, 4 {1004), 

 Extra No. 1, jyp. 3, 4) . — A brief account is given of cooperative work in the study of 



