REVIEWS 121 



of by the commonly accepted explanation that extreme cold affects 

 tree spacing as does extreme aridity. 



It is such a pity that Nansen's references to forests are so unscien- 

 tific. At 663/^° north latitude he speaks of "also larch and a luxuriant 

 green tree very like a fir, with long needles, like those of the New Jersey 

 scrub pine. This was the so-called Siberian cedar, which is really a sort 

 of fir {Pinus cembra) . This seems to be valuable largely because of its 

 edible nuts ("Russian nuts"). 



As he worked his way farther south the forest destruction from fires 

 appeared more disastrous; "signs of forest fires were to be seen on every 

 hand. ... In spring and early summer it is very dry here, so that a 

 forest fire easily spreads; when once it begins, it may burn for weeks in 

 these parts." Again he refers to destruction by fires : "Time after time 

 we passed forest fires, the smoke of which extended for great distances 

 ... it is constantly being burnt. The grass in the valleys is burnt off 

 twice a year, in autiunn or spring, so that the withered grass may not 

 check the growth of the fresh, green grass in spring." In past decades 

 such methods were not unheard of in the Western United States. 



One cannot read this interesting narrative without wishing that 

 Nansen had been more scientific in his nimierous references to forest 

 growth. What a pity these northern forests are being destroyed ! 



Theodore S. Woolsey, Jr. 

 New Haven, Conn. 



Reforesting Methods and Results of Forest Planting 

 IN New York State. ^ 



This account is based on thirty-five typical private plantations in 

 nine localities within the State, leaving the 7,000 acres of State planta- 

 tions out of consideration. There seem to be over 20,000 acres of private 

 plantings in the State. 



It is notable that out of the six coniferous species recommended for 

 'planting half the number are Eiu-opean species: Norway spruce, Scotch 

 pine, and European larch. 



The financier was evidently not present when the sentence was 

 written: "For extensive planting on sites of varying character, 3 and 

 4 year-old transplanted stock shoiild always be used." We doubt 

 whether the use of such plant material justifies the later statement 

 regarding cost, that "the average cost should not exceed $6 under 

 favorable conditions . ' ' 



iBy B. H. Paul. Bulletin 374. Cornell Universit}', College of Agriculture. 

 Ithaca, N.Y. 1916. Pp. 649-92. 



