Current Literature. 259 



terfere, but it remains from two to three weeks longer on the 

 ground in the forest and a greater proportion of the snow water 

 is absorbed by the forest soil. The average wind movement in 

 the forest is only about half as great as in the park, while the 

 evaporation from a free water surface is only 70 per cent, as 

 great. 



"The influence of the forest upon all factors studied, with the 

 exception of relative humidity for which our data are inadequate, 

 is similar to that shown by European observations. In the 

 European forests, as in those covered by this study, the extremes 

 of temperature are modified ; but in European forests the maxima 

 are lowered more than the minima are raised, with the result that 

 the mean temperature is lowxr in the forest than in the open, 

 while in our forests the maxima are lowered less than the minima 

 are raised, with the result that the mean temperature is higher in 

 the forest than in the open. The influence of the forest in de- 

 creasing evaporation is 30 per cent greater in Europe than is 

 shown in this study." 



This investigation shows that the climatic conditions are de- 

 cidedly unfavorable to the establishment of forest growth in the 

 parks, and that little or nothing can be expected from natural 

 seeding. In cutting original stands it is highly desirable to leave 

 a portion of the stand not only to furnish seed but also as a pro- 

 tection to the young growth. The Forest Service had previously 

 adopted this shelterwood system and this report states that the 

 reasons for doing so are well founded. 



Some planting experiments of 1912 gave excellent results, due 

 presumably to the use of a higher grade of plants than had pre- 

 viously been tried. There is no assurance, however, that the planta- 

 tions will grow to maturity, as it is probable that unfavorable soil 

 conditions, as well as adverse atmospheric conditions which make 

 it impossible for the seedlings to survive the first year, are in- 

 volved. Although the most of park areas in the yellow-pine 

 type will eventually be devoted to agriculture, yet there are some 

 portions too rocky for farming which should be forested if pos- 

 sible. 



"Further investigations on cut-over areas, with special refer- 

 ence to the efifect of dififerent degrees of cutting upon the physical 

 conditions which are now being conducted by the Fort Valley 

 Forest Experiment Station, will undoubtedly determine with 



