Current Literature. 253 



no small share represents simple maturity or greater age, for it 

 is known that many such forests were planted within a century 

 and are only beginning to yield timber. And let a protest be 

 made against the use of such expressions as "work-wood per 

 cent." Percentage is a legitimate term and if "timber" and "top- 

 wood" are not fair equivalents for the German Nutzholz and 

 Reisholz surely the language can afford something satisfactory. 



The statistics of New England's lumber interests (p. 243-247) 

 indicate the importance of the subject, especially in connection 

 with the evidence that there is no need ever to suffer any ma- 

 terial reduction in the output. It would have satisfied many 

 people to know that whereas the pulp wood production of New 

 England is 60 per cent, of the whole output, the pulp wood pro- 

 duction of the whole country is less than 2 per cent, of the total 

 lumber cut. The argument of the authors that the ability to use 

 smaller wood for pulp than for saw logs is a positive advantage 

 in practical forestry is of course sound. 



By way of caution regarding some of the statements made 

 may be noted that on page 316, "there seems to be no reason 

 why red or scotch pine would not thrive on the pitch pine soils 

 * * * and produce a much better grade of lumber and give a 

 higher yield." It is doubtful if the two former species are 

 ever satisfied with the poor soil on which pitch pine often makes 

 a fairly good growth. And one wonders where is the necessity 

 for piling the brush to be burned on a clear cut area as is in- 

 dicated under Figure 123. 



In the chapter "The Progress of Forestry in New England" 

 very satisfactory references are made to the organizations that 

 have been created in each State for the improvement of the 

 forests. The one weakness in all is the lack of effective pro- 

 vision for controlling fires. 



On the subject of forest taxation the authors are wisely con- 

 servative. It may be entirely true that the general property tax 

 is inapplicable to growing forests ; and it may be that the levying 

 of a tax on that basis works hardship or injustice. Never- 

 theless we must admit that to modify anything so firmly estab- 

 lished will require a better argument than can be made on be- 

 half of a single class of property or a single interest. 



The last chapter, and the appendix, deal with the possible 



