460 Forestry Quarterly, 



extensively in the manufacture of matches and for the charcoal 

 employed in making gunpowder. Because aspens mature early, 

 and so require a short rotation as compared with other forest 

 trees ; because small sizes suffice for present uses so there is little 

 waste in utilization ; because the pulpwood logging has already 

 badly depleted the merchantable stands in Northeastern United 

 States the Forest Service has been led to make a study of their 

 growth and management. The principal sources of supply of 

 commercial aspen in the East are in Maine and New Brunswick 

 and the stands arose after the fires of 1825 which burned over no 

 less than five million acres. It is estimated that this area contained 

 10 million cords and that not one half of it has yet been cut or 

 burned. Tables showing the development and decadence of 

 aspen stands in Maine are given. The average age of dominant 

 trees probably falls between 70 and 80 years. The stands origin- 

 ating from Miramichi and other fires of 1825 are so rapidly de- 

 teriorating from white rot (Fames igniarius) that the pulpwood 

 bolts are now culled from 5 per cent, to 20 per cent. Ten years 

 ago culling for this cause in the same region was unknown. 



The authors suggest a rotation varying between 50 and 80 years 

 according to the condition of the stand. Owing to the vigor of 

 reproduction both by seeds and root suckers, clean cutting and 

 burning the litter to facilitate seeding are advised. 



C. D. H. 



Properties and Uses of Douglas Fir. By McGarvy Cline and 

 J. B. Knapp. Bulletin 88, U. S. Forest Service. Washington, 

 D. C, 191 1. Pp. 75. 



"Douglas fir may, perhaps, be considered as the most important 

 of American woods. Though in point of production it ranks sec- 

 ond to southern Yellow Pine, its rapid growth in the Pacific coast 

 forests, its comparatively wide distribution, and the great variety 

 of uses to which its wood can be put place it first. Estimates of 

 the available supply range from 300 billion to 350 billion feet 

 board measure. It is very extensively used in the building trades ; 

 by the railroads in the form of ties, piling, car, and bridge ma- 

 terial ; and by many of the manufacturing industries of the coun- 

 try. As a structural timber it is not surpassed, and probably it is 

 most widely used and known in this capacity." 



