NOTES AND COMMENTS 801 



Methyl alcohol and acetic acid, distillation products of hardwoods, 

 are useful in both civilian and military life for medical preparations 

 and for aniline dyes, and formaldehyde, another forest by-product, is 

 a most efficient antiseptic. 



The newsprint paper situation has been receiving considerable atten- 

 tion on this continent of late, and in this connection it is interesting to 

 note that, although there has been a reduction in the number of daily 

 papers and periodicals published in some of the warring countries of 

 Europe, due to the prohibitive price of paper, the daily circulation of 

 papers giving news has increased and large numbers of books and 

 pamphlets on war subjects are continually being issued. 



In conclusion, the author states that the U. S. Forest Products Labo- 

 ratory has shown by experiment that some seven or eight American 

 woods, besides spruce and balsam fir, are satisfactory for the making 

 of newsprint paper, and that cordage, ropes, burlap, and similar articles 

 can be made from wood fiber ; and hence the United States, in case of 

 war with Mexico, should be in a position to supply the great quantities 

 of twine and hemp needed in the harvesting of the grain crop, the 

 binder twine used in recent years having been made from sisal, im- 

 ported from Central America and Mexico. 



The summer field meeting of the Association of Eastern Foresters 

 was held July ii to 13 at Bluff Point, New York, the members being 

 guests of the forestry department of the Delaware and Hudson Rail- 

 road. About 30 members and guests were present. 



The party assembled on Wednesday afternoon and evening at the 

 Bluff House. The first afternoon was devoted by some to an inspection 

 of the D. & H. nursery and to a visit to the Plattsburg military training 

 camp. 



The main field trip was on Thursday and included an inspection of 

 a portion of the 6,000 acres of plantations near Wolf Pond. The 

 early plantings in 1909 were largely confined to Scotch pine and white 

 pine, but future efforts will be devoted chiefly to reforesting with red 

 pine, owing to the possible damage to white pine from blister rust. 

 While Scotch pine has made an excellent growth it is believed that 

 greater returns can be secured from the use of red pine, owing to 

 greater yield per acre and to the higher quality of material produced. 



An excellent buffet luncheon was served at a hunting camp on the 

 Wolf Pond tract by the dining-car department of the railroad, after 

 which the party went by train to Dannemora, where a trip was taken 



