Periodical Literature. 117 



A large forest fire insurance company has paid losses on many 

 more fires than are reported in the official statistics. 



The volume of wood cut in 1910 in the Prussian State forests 

 was greater than ever before, due chiefly to the cut from stands 

 attacked by the nun moth in East Prussia, although there is a 

 slight increase in the cut nearly everywhere. The cut is chiefly 

 coniferous, the hardwoods forming a small and dwindling por- 

 tion. This necessary increase in the cut which is now 30 per cent, 

 greater than two years ago is accompanied by a fall in the net 

 yield of 15 per cent. This is due in part to the attacks of the nun 

 in East Prussia which has there overloaded the market, especially 

 with firewood, for which the mild winter reduced the demands, 

 in part to the industrial reaction and general fall of prices since 

 1907. and in part to the increase in overhead charges due to in- 

 creased salaries. It is also accentuated by unpaid accounts which 

 will be credited to next year's receipts. 



The market for mine props and cross ties has been overstocked 

 by the low grade material cut during the year and prices have 

 fallen and imports declined. This appears to be only a transitory 

 condition. 



Four per cent, of the forest area of Prussia is oak coppice 

 managed for the production of tanbark. The steady decline of 

 the price of tanbark has gradually removed all profit, while many 

 economic factors tend to prevent the change to profitable conifer- 

 ous high forest. This crisis has been studied notably by Dr. 

 Jentsch and no relief found. Progress in the tanning industry 

 has developed large plants which draw their tannins from the 

 tropics. Besides these the older type of small tannery has failed 

 to hold its own, and with the small tannery the demand for tan- 

 bark will vanish. Import duties have failed to reduce the use of 

 foreign tannins or increase the demand for bark. Finally chrome 

 leather and other mineral tans are entering and promise to usurp 

 the whole field. Dr. Jentsch has concluded that about two-thirds 

 of this oak coppice will be changed over into coniferous high for- 

 est probably after changing owners. One-third will remain in 

 present hands and continue to produce tanbark which will be 

 utilized in home tanneries. 



Building materials, wood and stone, are "barometers of trade," 

 indices of industrial conditions for the coming year. Prosperous 

 periods are ushered in by vigor in the building trades and these 



