Periodical Literature. 107 



spruce or pine which is planted between these groups. This gives 

 the slowgrowing beech a good start. 



With soils too poor for the immediate introduction of beech, 

 other less exacting but soil improving species must be grown as an 

 "advance crop". Until the soil is fit to receive the beech, such 

 species are White Alder and Birch. However, experiments are 

 being tried with such species as our Jack Pine, on very poor sands, 

 and in some cases with nitrogen gathering crops such as Robinia 

 among trees and with the lupine. 



This last might be of interest to foresters on this continent, 

 and much good might come from trying experiments in this direc- 

 tion. F. McV. 



Begriindung der Mischbestdnde von Fichten und Buchen, sowie Kief em 

 und Buchen. Forstwissenschaftliches Centralblatt. June and July, 1912. 

 Pp. 297-309; 345-353- 



This is one of the many articles which indi- 

 Mixed cate the reaction in Germany from pure 



vs. even-aged stands toward mixed forests. 



Pure After the Napoleonic wars, when railway 



Forest. transportation made it possible to distribute 



coal cheaply and thus relieve the demand 

 for fire-wood, even-aged, pure stands of conifers were considered 

 most profitable. These gave material for which there was a 

 ready market and were more cheaply logged than the heavier hard- 

 woods. In addition, the leaf litter was eagerly prized by the near- 

 by farmers. 



After a hundred years of ascendancy the pure stand is giving 

 place to the uneven-aged mixed forest, because the latter gives 

 higher yields per acre and prevents soil deterioration. The pre- 

 sent article is mainly concerned in setting forth the good results 

 to be secured by introducing beech into spruce and pine stands. 

 The improvement of the soil is most marked with a light-needing 

 species like pine, but even with the tolerant spruce soil conditions 

 are bettered and there is a greater resistance to storm, snow, fire 

 and insect damage. One authority insists that beech should 

 cover at least one-third of the total forest area in Germany. 



In a spruce stand where holes have been caused by wind or 

 snow damage, the planting of beech seedlings is recommended. 

 This same method is advised to fill in the fail spots in a spruce 



