97 
uses and mode of action of the i Uae vem used in agri- 
cultural practice, and contains much useful information which is not 
given in text-books written from a sec standpoint. 
The detailed descriptions are prefaced by a chapter on general 
principles, in which the importance of attention to general hygiene 
and avoidance of conditions predisposing plants to disease is insisted 
upon 
At the end of the book there is a useful glossary in which short 
accounts of the various destructive insects an ngi are given, 
There is also a well-compiled index but unfortunately references to 
literature are omitted, 
Forestry in ag Africa.—The Report of the Chief Conservator of 
Forests, Union of South Africa, for the year ending December 31st, 
1911, contains an interesting account of the work of the Department 
during the year, ig is with a detailed statement of revenue and 
expenditure for the same period, 
The work of thes Department is apparently divided into two 
branches, the object of the principal branch being to renovate old 
forests and to create new ones for the supply of timber and other 
forest products for general use, whilst the energies of the other 
division are concentrated upon raising timber mainly for the purpose 
of supplying sleepers for State railways. 
The various statistical tables point to steady progress, and in the 
case of the older plantations to an increasing revenue with a 
decreasing net working cost. But the allusions to losses ote by 
insect and fungus pests, fires and theft, indicate that the trials 
incidental to the formation of new plantations and the renovation 
old forests are as prevalent in 8. Africa as they are elsewhere, 
aid that it is always wise when estimating for proposed work to 
allow a generous margin for such contingencies, 
It is interesting to observe that in almost all cases greater faith 
is placed upon exotic than upon native trees for planting, and that 
where pron s of indigenous trees occur they are usually self-sown 
even for underplanting forests of native trees, exotics 
eed.” 
The chief native trees are Podocarpus spp., Ocotea bullata, 
Curtisia ics Olea lari Apodytes dimidiata, Ptaeroxylon 
utile, Gonioma Kamassi, and Callitris arborea, whilst various 
species of ‘Eeoalyphe cad Australian Acacia divide with Pinu 
insignis, P. Pinaster, P. canariensis and Cedrela Toona the honour 
of being the principal exotic trees grown. Several of the latter 
species with Pinus sylvestris are reproducing themselves in or about 
the forests. 
The highest price obtained for the wood of a native tree was ls. 1d. 
a cubic foot, for the wood of Ocotea bullata; the highest priced 
exotic being Sascslistes at 101d, a cubic foot. Thinnings from 
plantations of Pinus Pinaster and P insignis realised 6d. and 5d. a 
cubic foot respectively. To illustrate the difference in — 
obtained for the wood in the forest and the same wood in Cape Town 
worked up ready for use, 24d. a cubic foot was obtained for yellow 
