Current Literature. 459 



fasciculatum) is the most abundant and widespread, on the aver- 

 age composing 33 per cent, of the stand. It is exceedingly in- 

 flammable, is a poor soil binder and does not protect the ground 

 from dry winds. The next most common species is the Califor- 

 nia scrub oak {Quercus dumosa) and in the region as a whole 

 it makes up 13 per cent, of the chaparral. It is a very desirable 

 member of the formation, since it is evergreen and grows on all 

 kinds of soils and sites. If not too severely burned, it will pro- 

 duce a fair coppice within three years, a much shorter time than 

 the average for chaparral species. Other leading species are deer 

 brush (Ceanothus divaricatus) , spasm herb (Adenostoma sparsi- 

 folium) and the big berried manzanita {Arctostaphylos glauca). 

 Only the latter is considered a desirable species from the stand- 

 point of soil cover. 



Water is the most valuable mineral in Southern California. 

 The supply for Los Angeles is brought 200 miles. Certain land 

 without water or the prospect of it is not worth 50 cents an acre, 

 but with water upon it would be worth $3,000 per acre. Those 

 who are skeptical of the beneficial role of forest cover, even 

 chaparral, upon the run-off and water supply in a semi-arid region 

 should read this bulletin. 



For the most part, the commercial species which occur in scat- 

 tered patches over the chaparral and at the upper limits of the 

 formation, are unable to extend themselves on areas dominated 

 by the smaller growth. The Forest Service has made several un- 

 successful attempts by sowing and planting to establish native 

 commercial species on the exposed slopes. The author suggests 

 the trial of Eucalyptus, C. D. H. 



The Aspens: Their Growth and Management. By W. G. 

 Weigle and E. H. Frothingham. Bulletin 93. U. S. Forest Ser- 

 vice. Washington, D. C. 191 1. Pp. 35. 



The aspens discussed in the bulletin are Populus tremuloides 

 and P. grandidentata. They stand third as contributors to the 

 pulpwood supply in the United States, but that is only 6 per cent, 

 of the total used. Aspen pulp is the most important source of 

 supply for the manufacture of books and magazines. Aspen pro- 

 duces a high grade of excelsior and it furnishes a large part 

 of that commodity on the market. In Europe aspen wood is used 



