I04 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



being over-technical, and yet it is not without interest to foresters 

 generally. Any reader would find such articles as "The 

 Douglas Fir Flagstaff at Kew," by F. R. S. Balfour, and "Tree 

 Worship in India," by S. M. Edwards, of very great interest. 

 The description of the 220 feet long flagstaff, and the history of 

 its transport and erection, should maintain their value for many 

 years to come. 



There is a widespread interest in the conditions of life, 

 customs, folklore, and general history of all countries. This 

 perhaps arises from the innate human curiosity as to the welfare 

 and doings of ones neighbours. But a knowledge of these 

 matters is useful, not only in leading to advancement of the 

 Empire, but also in giving those who wish to proceed to the 

 places described some idea of the conditions to which they 

 would go. If those who have experience of life in the Colonies 

 and Dominions could find the time to write of these things, 

 it might save many a life from wastage and many a youth from 

 the career of the beach-comber. Moreover, customs and 

 conditions of life have a definite influence on trade. We read 

 with great interest in the article on "Tree Worship in India," of 

 the peoples, " who believe firmly that they are sprung from some 

 object, animal or tree of a particular species, and who ascribe a 

 sacred character to that animal or tree as their totem." Of 

 perpetual interest are the customs that marry men and women 

 to trees, or that marry trees to each other. One could wish 

 for details of the factors that led to the initiation of these 

 customs, but perhaps a book on forestry is not the proper place 

 for profound information on these subjects. 



Australian forestry is brought well to notice by several 

 articles. There is a survey of the fine timbers of Western 

 Australia by C. E. Lane Poole. Of these woods only a few are 

 well known in Britain, and, according to the writer, they have not 

 always been put to their best uses. Jarrah, which we see in 

 daily use as paving blocks, is described as one of the finest 

 furniture woods in existence. Those who have seen articles 

 made from various Australian timbers, can appreciate how 

 suitable these are for many of the purposes to which timbers 

 from outside the Empire are put. This is the foresters' opinion, 

 however, and while we would uphold that opinion, we believe 

 that the views of experts in the various trades, such as furniture 

 and carriage making, would go far towards convincing the 



