CONTINENTAL NOTES — FRANCE. 6 I 



acetylene lamp as used in vineyards for destroying night-flying 

 noxious insects, and in addition has conceived the idea of actually 

 introducing bats into the woods. For this purpose he would 

 build small sheds, so made that during winter the cold may be 

 kept out. He is careful to explain that all species of bat would 

 not be equally valuable in this connection, and would employ 

 those which are accustomed to inhabit lofts and barns, or hollow 

 trees, excluding those which hibernate in grottos. The kind he 

 suggests is called " Vesperien " (I am not in a position to 

 translate this word). He would adopt various precautions when 

 installing his bats in the forest huts. Possibly there is some- 

 thing in the idea where there is an invasion of night-flying 

 harmful insects. As for diurnal insects, it is not at all a foolish 

 idea to import an enemy which preys on them, for we may 

 remember how the importation from Australia into California of 

 the ladybird, an insecticide, completely saved the orchards which 

 had been badly attacked by insects. 



7. Coniferous Forest Trees in Great Britain. 



By H. M. Steven, B.Sc. 



In this article the various conifers of importance in British 

 forestry will be dealt with. Their growth under different 

 conditions of soil, elevation, exposure, etc., will be considered, 

 and an effort made to state the environmental requirements 

 of each species. The principal silvicultural problems that 

 arise in the growing of each conifer will also be discussed. 

 Finally, an attempt will be made to reach a conclusion as to 

 the position of the various conifers in the development of 

 forestry in this country. 



Hardwoods will only be considered when of importance in 

 the growing of conifers — for instance, the use of birch as a 

 nurse and of beech as a soil improver. 



The pines, larches, spruces, and other conifers will be dealt 

 with in turn. 



PINES. 



Of the pines, three are of importance, viz. Scots pine, Corsican 

 pine, and Weymouth pine. 



