Cnrrent Literature. 91 



The fire hazard along railway construction has been controlled 

 for the first time in the history of the province. The right of 

 way cleaning is covered by the Railway Act. The slash situa- 

 tion as regards the neighboring areas of Crown lands, which are 

 logged free of dues by construction contractors, has been met by 

 requiring the Railway Companies to take out permits for speci- 

 fied areas, these permits requiring disposal of the debris by the 

 companies as stipulated. The Forest Branch in this matter does 

 not deal with the contractors. In all, 90 of these permits were 

 issued, covering cutting on 138,276 acres. Some 1800 miles of 

 railroad were under construction the past season. 



Voluntary slash burning by lumbermen aggregated some 10,000 

 to 15,000 acres in 191 3. 



As a result of the weather conditions the protective force were 

 enabled to complete an unusual amount of permanent improve- 

 ment work. This included 1200 miles of trail, 360 miles of 

 telephone line, and 10 ranger cabins. 



The Forest Branch in co-operation with the Commission of 

 Conservation for Canada has in progress a general survey of the 

 forest resources of the province, the work to be completed in 

 two years. A system of control of the range for grazing is also 

 foreshadowed. 



The province is to be congratulated on the very considerable 

 progress it has made in such a short time toward a businesslike 

 administration of its timberland resources. Not only does this 

 augur well for the prosperity of British Columbia, but in time 

 must have its effect on the less progressive administrations in 

 the east. 



J. H. W. 



Durch Konig Tschulalongkorns Reich. By Dr. Carl Curt Hos- 

 seus. Strecker und Schroeder, Stuttgart, 1913. Pp. 219 4°, 

 125 illustrations and map. 



This is an elegantly printed record of a botanist's first ex- 

 ploration in Northern Siam. It is not a systematic discussion 

 of country or flora, but a rather diffuse account in detail of a 

 journey or journeys with all its minor incidents, and the main 

 interest is in these incidents. Floral descriptions are interspersed. 

 Of most interest in this latter respect is the ascent of two moun- 



