104 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Few will be disposed to disagree with the author's views on 

 these matters. Exception may, however, be taken by the plant 

 physiologist to some of his views on the climatic conditions 

 affecting tree-growth. He rightly attaches very great importance 

 to the effect of the weather conditions prevalent during the 

 months of May, June, July, August, but he seems to assume 

 that these conditions may be treated almost as a negligible 

 quantity during the remaining months of the year. This is not 

 the accepted scientific view. But while the scientist may not 

 agree with some of Mr Forbes' premises, the practical man may 

 safely accept his main conclusion that extensive planting 

 operations should be confined, in the first instance at least, 

 to moderately sheltered situations within safe limits of altitude. 

 His remarks as to the necessity for further investigation 

 regarding the climatic conditions prevailing at the higher 

 altitudes are very much to the point. There is no doubt that, 

 so far as tree-growth is concerned, we have here a practically 

 unworked field. 



The illustrations in the book are excellent, but their con- 

 nection with the text is not always made sufficiently clear to 

 the reader. There is a very good chapter on forestry " Methods 

 and Practice." The book contains much useful matter on 

 general questions relating to forestry, and will, no doubt, act 

 as a corrective to the wild and extravagant views sometimes 

 put forward as to the possibilities of growing timber-crops 

 on poor barren lands at extreme altitudes. 



J. F. A. 



Elevients of British Forestry. 345 pp., 92 Illustrations. By John 

 NiSBET. William Blackwood & Sons, 19 11. Price 5s, 6d. 



Dr J. Nisbet's little book entitled the Elements of British 

 Forestry has appeared at a most opportune moment, and will, we 

 feel sure, be greeted with appreciation by many. The author 

 states that it is written for forest apprentices and also for use in 

 agricultural colleges. The term forest apprentice is an elastic 

 one and does not appear to define with sufficient accuracy the 

 class of man it is meant to include ; for the man who will be 

 able to make a satisfactory use of Dr Nisbet's book will need to 

 possess a good average education. For all possessing such a 

 perusal of the book will prove of high interest. 



