PERIODICAL LITERATURE 831 



soil is very similar to that of the typical jack-pine country of north- 

 central Minnesota and central Wisconsin. A considerable part of the 

 grove, which is several acres in extent, is nearly pure jack pine, while 

 the remainder is a mixed stand of pine and hardwoods. 



It is believed by the authors that the above is a natural patch of jack 

 pine which has succeeded in maintaining its existence in all probability 

 since Glacial times. The presence of this grove, as well as the numer- 

 ous groves of white pine in southeastern Minnesota, is explained in 

 that they are relics of a former general distribution of pine forests 

 throughout this area of the State. It is believed that this part of the 

 State which is now within the general deciduous forest area was ever- 

 green forest during the later Glacial periods. The subsequent disap- 

 pearance of most of the pine is ascribed to a number of causes, of which 

 climatic changes and fire are particularly emphasized. That there are 

 so few relics left is explained on the theory that fires and increased 

 competition with deciduous species caused their elimination except on 

 particularly favorable soils. 



J. W. T. 



On the Occurrence of Pinus Banksiana in Southeastern Minnesota. The Plant 

 World, Vol. XXI, No. 5, P- 107, May, 1918. 



The hardwood forests of Japan produce an ex- 

 Japan's cellent quality of oak, ash, birch, beech, and a 



Hardwood few other hardwoods. Oak constitutes the prin- 



Industry cipal export of lumber from Japan, though a little 



ash (tamo and sen) and birch is also exported. 

 All of the softwood produced in Japan is used locally. Larger sizes of 

 softwoods are imported from the United States. Large forests of 

 beech remain unexploited, though the rapid expansion of Japan's hard- 

 wood industry is anticipated, due to the increasing number of furniture, 

 veneer, barrel, and other wood-working factories that are coming into 

 Japan. Prices for hardwoods are from 10 per cent to 15 per cent lower 

 than prices prevailing on the Pacific coast of the United States for 

 similar material. 



B. L. G. 



Japan's Production of Hard and Soft Wood. Eastern Commerce, January, 

 1918, pp. 34-35. 



