REVIEWS 719 



(1) Protection of the virgin forest from fire. Since the forest is many aged, 

 absolute fire protection is necessary to secure reproduction. 



(2) The cutting of the mature trees in such a way that the immature trees 

 will be spared from injury. The selection system of cutting is advised in order 

 to prevent exposure and drying out of the soil, foster reproduction and create 

 conditions suitable for the best growth of yellow pine at all ages. 10 to 30 

 per cent of the volume of the stand (above 12 inches in diameter) is left. 



(3) The intensive utilization of all the merchantable timber designed for 

 cutting. 



(4) Proper disposal of the logging debris in order to make possible the sub- 

 sequent protection of the stand of immature timber from fire. 



Piling and burning is the best method, and costs 25 cents a thousand 

 feet for piling, with a few cents to be added for burning. Private 

 owners cannot be expected to handle their lands just as the Govern- 

 ment is doing. They are urged to protect the virgin and cut-over tim- 

 berlands from fire, to pile and burn brush, and to exercise care to pro- 

 tect young growth and unmerchantable large pines which may serve as 

 seed trees, and to leave uncut, medium-sized trees which may be un- 

 profitable to log. The appendix contains two volume tables and de- 

 tailed instructions for marking timber and disposing of brush. The 

 bulletin is above the average in clearness, conciseness, and originality 

 in presentation of material. 



R. C. H. 



Report of the Chief forest Fire Warden for 191/, Department of 

 Forestry, Pennsylvania. Bulletin 17. 1918. Pp. 112. 



The Pennsylvania Department of Forestry has had for the last three 

 years a special bureau of forest protection, with an organization of fire 

 wardens appointed under oath, presided over by a chief fire warden. 

 This third report shows that the organization is not yet satisfactory, 

 owing largely to insufficient appropriations, which, according to the fire 

 warden, should be not less than $100,000 for two years instead of the 

 allowed $45,000, which was nearly exhausted in the first vear, 191 7, 

 being the worst year experienced. 



The report brings in great detail, lahulated and with maps, the 

 record of fires, causes, damage, and expenditure. 



It is still necessary to carry on educational propaganda, and the war- 

 den is most active in forwarding it. 



We note the following facts as giving an idea of the state of condi- 

 tions : The number of fires was practically double that of any of the 

 l^revious two years, but with less area and damage, namely, 2,087 fires. 



