REVIEWS 295 



first popular and comprehensive treatment. The author says in his 

 preface that a special effort has been made to interest the statesmna, 

 the student of economics, the engineer, the physician and the layman, 

 as well as the forester in the effect of forests on certain aspects of 

 public health and hygiene about which vague notions are now prevalent. 



In the twelve chapters which make up the book an endeavor is made 

 in the first two to recognize and describe the far-reaching influences 

 of forests and trees on climate, flow of water, erosion of soil, shelter 

 from wind, and the purity of air and water. Data are presented to 

 show that these influences affect directly the health and comfort of man. 



In the following three chapters statistics and data are assembled 

 showing the value of forest districts as sites for sanitoria and also the 

 importance of the parks and trees in towns and cities and their reaction 

 upon the public. 



For generations England has been engaged in coal mining which 

 has left large areas of desolation in the form of pit mounds in the 

 Black Country. Two chapters containing much new and interesting 

 material are devoted to the general consideration of afforestation. 

 Many illustrations are given of successful afforestation of pit mounds 

 and similar waste land by planting. This movement is of great interest 

 in England at the present time, particularly in localities where it has 

 been taken up by school children. For instance, the Black Wagon 

 Plantation, taken charge of by a high grade school, was a naked mound 

 a few years ago consisting partly of grey shale and partly of shale 

 •mixed with slack. This huge, black, bald mound, formerly an eyesore 

 to the district, is now covered with splendid trees. There are many 

 similar areas of desolation in the mining regions of Pennsylvania and 

 elsewhere in this country where in the reviewer's opinion the inhabi- 

 tants might draw inspiration and example from the planting done by 

 these school children in England. 



One of the most interesting parts of the book is given to a rather 

 ■detailed discussion of species suitable for the afforestation of various 

 catchment areas in Great Britain and the results obtained from past 

 planting. American foresters will be interested in the use for this 

 purpose of many of our West Coast conifers, particularly Douglas fir. 

 They will also be interested in the excellent photographic reproductions 

 of many i:)lantations of these species in England, some of which are 

 well along toward economic maturity. 



