Current Literature 89 



reference to the lower Mississippi valley, where it reaches its best 

 development in the alluvial bottom lands. 



Tables of height and diameter growth are given for such site 

 conditions. Mature stands averaged 18 to 24 inches in diameter 

 and 85 to 120 feet in height. A study of 255 trees gave an average 

 height of 32 feet at 5 years, 50 feet at 10 years, and 96 feet at 35 

 years. The average diameter breast high was 12 inches around 

 20 years, and 20 inches around 40 years of age. 



Volume tables and tables of yield on small sample areas are 

 given. A set of form tables is also given, based on 252 trees in 

 5 States, giving taper measurements for diameter classes from 8 

 inches to 36 inches at intervals of 1 inch, and height classes from 

 60 to 130 feet at intervals of 10 feet. 



It is only within the last few years that the production of willow 

 lumber on the lower Mississippi has become important enough for 

 the lumber to be placed on the market \mder its own name. At 

 present, its mill price is about $16 per thousand, mill run. The 

 lumber is used mostly for box shooks, furniture and cabinet 

 drawers and backing, and various special uses. Willow is also 

 manufactured into slack cooperage stock, the coarser grades of 

 excelsior, charcoal for special uses, artificial limbs, willow furniture 

 and baskets, etc. 



The use of willows for protection is discussed. The species 

 is very suitable for protecting soil from erosion by running water 

 or wave action. The most extensive employment for this purpose 

 is for bank revetment work along the lower Mississippi system, 

 where an average of 350,000 cords per year is required. Willows 

 are also used as sand binders, and are the favorite tree for wind- 

 breaks and shelter belts in the central prairie states. 



The last ten pages are devoted to the subject of planting willows, 

 under the various headings of soil requirements, species suitable, 

 handling of cuttings, costs and yields. 



J. H. W. 



Zygadenus, or Death Camas. By C. D. Marsh and A. B. 

 Clawson, and H. Marsh. Bulletin 125, U. S. Department of 

 Agriculture. Contribution from the Bureau of Plant Industry. 

 Washington, D. C. 1915. Pp. 46. 



This bulletin covers completely in a comparatively^ short space 

 the description of the poisonous species of the genus Zygadenus, 



