NOTES 2, ■)."■) 



Interception or Absorption? 



Barrington Moore's article entitled "Factors Influencing Reproduc- 

 tion of Red Spruce, Balsam Fir, and White Pine," in the November 

 issue of the Journal, has been read with interest and profit. 



Moore's conclusions concerning the interception of precipitation by 

 spruce crowns seem not to be fully supported, since they are based 

 entirely upon the percentage of moisture found in the soil under spruce 

 crowns rather than on the quantity of water actually received by such 

 areas. It is, of course, patent that a considerable amount of precipita- 

 tion may be intercepted by a dense spruce crown. That the quantity of 

 water so intercepted is sufficient to almost preclude the growth of vege- 

 tation on such areas does not appear to be established, because by such 

 a process the spruce would be cutting oft' its own water supply as well 

 as that of its competitors. 



Moore notes that the root system of the spruce "forms a dense mat 

 in the raw humus or dufl" — a mat so dense that hardly a square centi- 

 meter under a spruce stand escapes." He also states that ''spruce is in 

 a position to get the first water that reaches the forest floor." 



Does it not seem probable that the disposition of the root system 

 rather than the interception of precipitation by the crowns is the prime 

 factor in bringing about a xerophytic condition under the spruce? 



Howard R. Flint. 



Empire State Forest Products Association 



The annual meeting of the Empire State Forest Products Associa- 

 tion, held at Utica, N. Y., on November 8, was characterized by the 

 co-ordinated presentation of the most important problems affecting 

 private forestry practice. The program reflects this intended drive on 

 taxation, fire protection, and reforestation. It is significant to note 

 that not less than twenty professional foresters attended the meeting. 



Professor Hosmer opened with an address on "Forest Taxation." 

 which was followed by W. R. Brown's paper on "Standing Timber 

 Insurance." Both of these papers engendered much helpful discussion. 

 In the afternoon Prof. J. W. Toumey gave an admirable talk on "The 

 Economic Aspect of Reforestation in Northeastern I'nited States" and 

 EUwood Wilson spoke on "Lessons from Canada," with particular ref- 

 erence to the work of the Laurentide Paper Company in reforestation. 



The feature of the banquet was the address by President John G. 

 Agar, of the Association for the Protection of the .Kdirondacks. on 

 "The State Polic\- of L.-md i'urcliasc for ihc l"orest Preserve." 



