XCVI HENRIK HESSELMAN. 
markedly saltpetre flora. In practically all the grasses and herbs considerable 
quantities of saltpetre can be demonstrated, even in such plants as Potentilla erecta, 
Veronica officinalis, etc. in which the existence of saltpetre can seldom be shown. 
Specially striking is the rapid changes in modes of transformation which 
takes place after felling in the Lanfors woods near Alkvettern. Here the 
forest department of our institute of experimental forestry has a large sample 
plot for the studying of the usability and suitability in Sweden of the WAGNER 
method of select cutting. In order to prepare the clearings Professor SCHOTTE 
in the winter of 1914 (November) made a five metres wide track and in addition 
to this a belt 20—25 metres broad adjacent to this was cleared of many trees 
to secure greater access of light [»Lichthieb>] (SCHOTTE, 1915, b, page 764). 
As early as July, 1916, the ground began to change in the above-men- 
tioned track; Luzula pilosa had an extremely luxuriant appearance, reminiscent 
of the plants that contained nitrate. This plant showed no reaction, it 
is” true, nor did the star-flower (Trientalis europaea) and Carex leporina; but 
on the other hand active reaction was obtained with quite young speci- 
mens of Epilobum angustifolium growing in the track. The same changes of 
soil are observed along the older edges of the stand, where there is an ex- 
tremely fine regrowth of spruce (see fig. 6). Here we find raspberries, wild 
strawberries and other plants, indicating the mould-like nature of the soil. 
Many give a strong nitrate reaction, for instance, raspberry, Luzula pilosa, Epi- 
lobium angustifolium, etc. (see, too, page 1037—1038). 
The forests on the Högsjö estate in the parish of Västra Vingåker have 
for a long time been managed in accordance with WALLMO's select cutting 
principles (see, too, fig. 7). The ground consists principally of fairly even 
moraine ground with few boulders, which, to judge by the dominant rock 
foundation in the region, would seem to consist chiefly of gneiss. Ose-gravel 
occurs also, for the most part covered with pine. 
In the gaps, brought about, by select cutting, various herbs appear, indicating 
an increased formation of nitrogen in the soil, such as Veronica chamaedrys and V.- 
officinalis, Årenaria trinervia, Fragaria vesca, Cerastium vulgatum. Fairly regularly, but 
less commonly than strawberry, there appears raspberry (Rubus zdaeus) and also 
Lactuca muralis, Cirstum arvense and C. lanceolatum. Of these plants the rasp- 
berry is a markedly nitratophilous plant, and specimens from regrowth gaps 
have always given a very powerful nitrate reaction, showing that the forma- 
tion of saltpetre goes on in the soil. Lactuca muralis and the two species of 
Cirstum are likewise hitratophilous plants; but their saltpetre content has not 
yet been investigated. 
In the moister places the most usual plant in the gaps is Prieris aquilina. It 
often attains a considerable degree of luxuriance and is somewhat of an 
obstacle to the development of the spruces, which in the shade of the stately 
ferns may be very precarious. But the spruces always manage to pull through. 
Under the ferns there is formed a distinetly mould-like humus, and there de- 
velop certain mould-loving mosses, such as Bryvum roseum and Astrophyllum 
cuspidatum. Saltpetre is formed in the ground, and both Luwzula pilosa and 
Rubus idaeus show a considerable content of nitrate in such places. 
Åt Äs in Julita parish in Södermanland the forests have the same char- 
acter as at Högsjö. The mixed coniferous woods are fairly dense; the mosses 
form the main part of the ground covering; the usual shrubs occur, but these 
