Current Literature. 3^3 



tained from nurserymen, purchase of plants would be the simplest 

 method. Commercial forest nurseries will soon be more plentiful 

 and this problem will be solved. 



The author states that "As the expense of establishing a planta- 

 tion of chestnut or red oak is greatly lessened by planting the nuts 

 or acorns, instead of the seedlings, it is advised that the former 

 method be employed for these two species whenever the proposed 

 planting site is fairly clean of bushes and sprout growth." The 

 author might have mentioned the danger of loss of seed by squir- 

 rels and other animals, which often not only devour every seed 

 planted, but have been known to attack the small seedlings just as 

 they appear above the ground. 



The discussion of the returns which may be expected from 

 plantations is of much interest. From tables which are given it 

 may be seen that plantations of white pine and white ash 40 years 

 old will yield an income of more than 4 per cent compound interest. 

 Chestnut plantations will give similar returns, on land with less 

 than $20.00 per acre, and when less than $10.00 per acre is ex- 

 pended in planting. Plantations of red oak and sugar maple should 

 not be cut at 40 years, since they will not produce saw logs within 

 that time. 



The author concludes that "On the whole, the assertion is war- 

 ranted that plantations of the more valuable forest trees make ex- 

 cellent long-time investments." 



The appendix contains a diagram of a small nursery and a 

 statement of its capacity for the species recommended. 



The report contains information of much value to tree planters 

 in Massachusetts, and should prove of great assistance to them. 



R. C. B. 



Forest Fires. By Alfred Ackerman, State Forester. Bulletin No. 

 5, Massachusetts State Forest Service, Boston. 24 pp. 



This bulletin discusses various phases of the forest fire ques- 

 tion in Massachusetts. The subject matter is treated under four 

 general headings, namely: 



