Periodical Literature 151 



MISCELLANEOUS 



War conditions have induced the Prus- 

 Prussian sian forest administration to issue alleviat- 



Forests ing instructions to the managers of State 



in properties. Moratoria for rents and wood 



War purchases are permitted under circum- 



stances. Brushwood may be given to the 

 poor at one quarter its usual cost. 



All the oak bark and spruce bark for tanning purposes is 

 contracted to the War Leather Association (in which the gov- 

 ernment is partner) under easy conditions. For oak bark in three 

 grades the price is set at $1.70, $2.00, and $2.25 per hundred 

 weight; spruce bark at 75 cents, in the woods air seasoned. 



A serious deficiency exists in rosin, which has been mostly 

 imported, and is especially used for manufacture of lubricants 

 and of writing paper. There are three possibilities of securing 

 rosin, namely by tapping spruce as used to be done long ago, by 

 distilling any coniferous wood, by scraping the rosin exuded on 

 spruce when damaged by game animals. 



Curiously enough, the latter method is supposed to give at 

 least most rapid results ; while the second method is being experi- 

 mented with. Instructions are issued how to scrape the rosin, 

 which is to be 70 per cent pure and is taken over by the ''rosin 

 accounting office" at about $2.50 per hundred weight f. o. b. 



In experimental areas about 80 pounds per acre at a cost of 

 $1 to $1.25 per 100 pounds could be secured. 



In March, 1915, the administration pointed out that in order 

 to assure sufficiency of bread grain and potatoes for human 

 needs the number of pigs would have to be reduced. To prevent, 

 however, later a meat famine, breeding stock and young stock 

 should be carefully preserved, for which purpose the forest 

 pasture should be opened up, herding the pigs wherever larger 

 communities are involved, even to the extent of transporting the 

 herds by train. The pasture is to be free of charge, to be con- 

 tinued till late fall or early winter. 



Pasture is also opened up for cattle, sheep and goats, and the 

 wood for building shelter, etc., is to be given free of charge. 



To eke out the pasture, brushwood of hardwoods is to be fur- 

 nished by the forest administration from thinnings or special 



