PHRIODICAL LITERATURE 943 



from reaching the soil, while the shallow wide-spreading net work of 

 roots absorbs the penetrating moisture and gradually produces a condi- 

 tion of ever increasing dryness at the lower soil levels. Larch, how- 

 ever, thrives excellently in mixture with pine and beech, since neither of 

 these ofifers a great mechanical hindrance to precipitation reaching the 

 surface of the ground, and neither competes with its deeper root system? 

 with the larch for moisture as does the spruce. In beech stands, the 

 humus layer of leaves, furthermore, is an excellent guard against sur- 

 face desiccation. In general, it must be considered that a plentiful 

 water supply means more to the larch than has been heretofore com- 

 monly supposed. J. R. 



Fankhauser. Zur Kcnntnis dcr Ldrche. Zeitschr. Forst-u. Jagdw., 51:289- 

 297, fig. 1-3. 101'.). 



MENSURATION, FINANCE. AND MANAGEMENT 



Of 822,000,000 acres original forest area, the 

 JVhy a United States has left 187.000,000 acres of vir- 



Tim-bcr Sunryf gin timlier. Twenty-six billion cubic feet are cut 

 or destroyed annually, and only (! billion cubic 

 feet grow to replace them. The per capita lumber consumption has de- 

 creased from 515 board feet, the crest of our utilization in lltOi!. to 300 

 board feet in 11)18. If we must reduce to 150 board feet per annuT,.as 

 in Germany before the war, or to 220 board feet, as in England, it will 

 evidently be necessary to pay either in excessive prices or by dispensing 

 with products essential for reasonable standards of living. Fifteen per 

 cent of our timber supplies, and 50 per cent of our timber consumption, 

 is in the Northeastern States centering 2,500 miles from the Pacific 

 Coast States where 50 per cent of the timber supplies, and less than 10 

 per cent of the timber consumption, is localized. The Northwest is the 

 only timber region which promises to cut more than local requirements 

 in 1930. No attempt has been made to bring together producer and 

 consu :'vv for an intelligent consideration of the utilization of the pres- 

 ent re-ources and the plans for production of future resources. The 

 lack of authoritative detailed information has forced the consideration 

 of a timber survey to secure data needed by forest owners, businesses, 

 industries, and the public. It would serve as a basis for plans for 

 growing adequate and suitable supplies where and when they are 

 needed. Such a survey should include statements of the remaining 

 timber, mature and second growth, merchantable and unmerchantable, 



