64 Forestry Quarterly. 



at that time before the State Legislature. It nevertheless shows clearly 

 the essentials of any ideal State fire law, which are : first, the preven- 

 tion of fires ; and second, adequate machinery for the execution of the 

 law. Although the paper was written eight years ago, it is still well 

 worth while reading and understanding, particularly for those engaged 

 in State forestry. 



XVI — Education. 



Some Problems in Forest Education. By Henry S. Graves. 



Vol. II, No. I. 



In this paper the author strikes the keynote of the policy which should 

 and does prevail in the best forest schools of the country. It is the im- 

 portance of a broad and thorough technical training. He shows that 

 American foresters need a broader training than do foresters in Europe. 

 He mentions the leading subjects and shows their bearing, pointing out 

 especially the need of learning to do research work, and of an understand- 

 ing of fundamental principles in order to build up the new profession. 

 His proposal for giving a diflferent kind of training for technical foresters 

 and for lumberman and rangers is the answer to the cry. at that time very 

 insistent, for a more practical training. In fact, the paper might be con- 

 sidered somewhat in the nature of a defense of the system of thorough 

 technical training. 



XVII— Botany. 



The Catalpa Septum- A Factor in Distinguishing Hardy Cor- 



ialpa. By William H. Lamb. Vol. VII, No. i. ' 



Mr. Lamb gives one dependable characteristic by which the two catalpas 

 may readily be distinguished; in distinguishing two similar species one 

 dependable character is worth any number of variable ones. 



A Syjiopsis of the Red Firs. By William H. Lamb. Vol. VII, 



No. 2. 



The author describes and illustrates with plates a few characteristics of 

 the leaf and bract of the three firs, Abies nobilis, Abies shastensis and 

 Abies magnifica, which render possible the sure and easy distinguishing of 

 these hitherto confusing species. 



XVIII — Auxiliary Subjects. 



SOILS. 



Forests as Gatherers of Nitrogen. By Treadwell Cleveland, 

 Jr. Vol. V, No. I. 



The author of this paper relates in a manner which can be understood 

 by the layman some interesting experiments proving that forests increase 

 the nitrogen content of the soil. He also states the opposing theories of 

 Boussingault and R. Hartig as to how this complex and little understood 

 process is carried on. 



