REVIKVVS 67 



plished the expected results by 1917 for lack of its enforcement. Better 

 observance is reported for the last year. 



A special State Forest Commission to purchase waste lands, insti- 

 tuted in 1914, has so far acquired four small States forests, totalling 

 11,000 acres, the management of which is placed under the State For- 

 ester, so far without special appropriation. But it appears that the 

 Forest Commission may allow some of its funds to be expended on 

 these forests. It is mainly reclamation work and has been begun in a 

 small way. 



An interesting incident of the department's work in 191 5 was the 

 handling of a relief fund for unemployed, consisting of an appropria- 

 tion by the legislature of $100,000 and a contribution of the towns of 

 nearly $15,000. This fund permitted the employment of over 1,400 

 men in clearing roadsides, burning brush, thinning, bushing, and plant- 

 ing some 500 acres, and cutting cordwood. The w^ork accomplished, 

 both in amount and quality, far exceeded the State Forester's expecta- 

 tions. But the next year conditions in regard to labor had changed 

 and lack of labor is complained of. 



If we may allow ourselves a criticism as to style, it is that a more 

 systematic arrangement of material would make the reading and taking 

 in the reports easier, besides obviating the frequent repetitions, which 

 bewilder the reader. 



We note that the reports are addressed to nobody in particular, but 

 from the language it appears the general public is addressed. 



The reader of these reports will certainly be struck with the great 

 variety of activities and the wholly democratic spirit of co-operation 

 which characterizes them. Such co-operation is particularly practicable 

 in ^Massachusetts, where small forest holdings are the rule. We are 

 impressed with the laudable initiative of the State Forester. 



B. E. F. 



Our Xatiojial Forests. By R. H. D. Boerker. The ]\Iacmillan Com- 

 pany. Xew York. 1918. Pp. 238. Price, $2.50. 



The title of this volume and the title of the author (arboriculturist 

 of the department of parks of the city of Xew York), as well as his 

 previous ventures in literary lines, led us to expect something different 

 from the contents of the volume, namely, the natural history of our 

 National Forests. It is, however, an account of the organization and 

 character of work of the U. S. Forest Service, with a brief statement 



