Periodical Literature. 283 



depth were observed, in the middle of the plantation where di- 

 rect sunlight did not or only slightly reach them. Another plan- 

 tation in Belgium, 30 years of age, luxuriously developed, had 

 in the middle of August such splits developed from top to bot- 

 tom and through and through, vertical and without loss of 

 bark. Other cases are cited. The splits occur on any aspect 

 and on northern aspects more frequently than on others. 



As to the exact cause of this phenomenon, the drought alone 

 cannot be accepted, otherwise it would be more general. In a 

 plantation of 90,000 plants, 80,000 were killed by drought, but 

 no heat splits occurred, and the affected trees exhibit a perfectly 

 sound dark green foliage, so that physiologically they did not 

 suffer any more than from frost splits. A relatively open stand 

 and vigorous branch system seems to favor the trouble. This 

 suggests that it is due to the formation of loose wood which with 

 a decreased water supply shrinks excessively, individual differ- 

 ences and differences of soil explain the variation in behavior. 



Hitcerisse. Schweizerische Zeitschrift fiir Forstwesen. January, 1912. 

 Pp. 21-26. 



The summer of 191 1 was notable in Ger- 

 Records many for uninterrupted hot, dry weather, 



of lasting from the late June into mid-Sep- 



Drought tember. The fire danger was enormous 



Influences and the whole personnel was kept on ten- 



ter-hooks for more than two months. Sun- 

 days and holidays only necessitated doubling the usual precau- 

 tions. These drought conditions were excessive in the sand plains 

 of lower Hesse. No serious losses from fire occurred there, but 

 many small fires were extinguished. The flatness of the country 

 made the location of fires difficult even after the smell of smoke 

 was evident. Lookout towers were erected and watch kept from 

 them with good results. Game suff'ered from thirst, and birds, 

 too, whose work in checking insect pests is of great advantage, 

 had to be supplied with water. 



Trees from more southern regions throve remarkably well, 

 but those more important commercial species which are native 

 here or to the northward suffered correspondingly from the 

 same cause. The Scotch Pine is the principal tree in the sand 

 plain forest of lower Hesse and were there frequent seasons like 



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