668 JOURNAL OF FORESTRY 



not having the beneficial effect of the clover; the broom, indeed, hav- 

 ing the most restrictive effect on height growth. Weekly clipping 

 had a beneficial effect. Since all pots were freely watered, it would 

 appear that the result can hardly be due to deficient soil moisture and 

 supports the theory of toxic substances being excreted by the weeds. 



Effects of Grass on the Growth of Young Ash Trees. Quarterly Journal of 

 Forestry, July, 1916, pp. 212-18. 



MENSURATION, FINANCE, AND MANAGEMENT 



An interesting discussion by Demorlaine con- 

 Indemnity for siders a law now before the Senate of France, re- 

 li'ar Damage in garding indemnities for damage sustained by 

 France property owners in the war zone. While the law 



does not particularize forest properties, the 

 author expects that such are naturally included. One clause of the 

 law requires the application of the indemnity to a restitution of the 

 destroyed property. Protests against this condition have been made by 

 economists because it interferes with personal rights and liberty. But 

 the author argues that in the case of forest properties, on account of 

 the special nature of forest cover in its influence on cultural conditions, 

 the clause should be upheld, that is to say reforestation is a necessity. 

 The fact that already forest properties are regarded as special cases 

 forms one of his arguments. He recognizes, however, the fact that 

 this requirement may occasion hardships, as for instance, when an 

 owner of timberland, who had lived on the returns from it, would 

 have to remain without income because the indemnity would have to 

 be applied to the re-creation of his capital without returns for a long 

 time. Often the indemnity might not be sufficient to cover the cost 

 of reforestation. The difficulties of handling the shell-sown lands 

 are also mentioned. 



The way out of the dilemma the author sees in an alternative clause 

 providing for expropriation at the choice of the owner. In this way, 

 the State forests may be desirably increased. 



Incidentally, the interesting suggestion is made that the indemnity 

 to be paid by the vanquished might in part at least be paid in kind, 

 when wood materials and manufactures might be imported from 

 Germany instead of money indemnity. 



Les dommages de guerrs aux forets. Revue des Eaux et ForSts, April, 1917, 

 pp. 107-12. 



