Current Literature. 709 



last twenty-five years. The burned-over area, however, bears a 

 promising reproduction of poplar and birch. 



Despite the small stand of timber the reserve is a specially im- 

 portant one locally. Its supply of fuel, posts, poles, etc., in the 

 midst of a prairie region is valuable ; hay is cut on a permit system, 

 and arrangements have been made for restricted grazing use. 

 Besides this direct value to the settler, and its importance in con- 

 serving water supply, the reserve is becoming more popular each 

 summer as a recreation ground. Thus it fulfills all the beneficial 

 functions of a public forest. 



J. H. W. 



What is the Matter zmth the Elms in Illinois f Bulletin 154, 

 Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station. 1912, 



A timely bulletin appeared from the Illinois Agricultural Ex- 

 periment Station in February. Many complaints have been re- 

 ceived from that section regarding the unhealthy condition of the 

 American elm. The trouble is distributed over nearly the entire 

 state and is, for the most part, confined to cities and towns. It 

 manifests itself by the leaves ceasing growth, turning brown and 

 finally falling, first on the terminal twigs and later on the larger 

 branches, between early summer and autumn. This is followed 

 by the progressive death of the branches, and in a year or two of 

 the entire tree. However, the tree may often survive five or six 

 years, or, in mild cases, may recover. 



The cause seems to be chiefly a physiological one, as an exami- 

 nation of the roots indicates. The elm in its natural habitat 

 grows in loose, shaded fertile soil. In cities the environment is 

 wholly unnatural, resulting in a weakened condition of the tree, 

 particularly when the climatic factors are unfavorable. The bark 

 insects which soon appear seem to be a secondary factor which 

 hastens the death of the trees. 



If the weather of the next few years is normally moist it is 

 quite probable that many of the injured trees will recover and the 

 general condition of the elms throughout the region may improve. 

 The remedial measures suggested are proper care in watering, 

 fertilizing and pruning, which should always be followed by a 

 suitable wound dressing. To keep borers away from the trunks 



