NEWS AND NOTES 



Forest Trees of the Pacific Slope Gulf of Mexico with the Atlantic Ocean 



THE appearance of "Forest Trees bv the construction of a ship canal 

 of the "Pacific Slope" does not in across the Peninsula of Florida. The 

 any way fall short of what was estimated cost of such a canal is $50,- 

 expected. At the present' time forest 000,000; it would shorten the route 

 trees are playing an important part in from the Atlantic to the Gulf ports by 

 our national conservation, and informa- over five hundred miles, and it has been 

 tion on this subject of a practical na- calculated that it would attract a traffic 

 ture is what the public seeks. There of 60,000,000 tons a year. Such a canal 

 are numbers of tree books before us, would be of enormous benefit to south- 

 but with few exceptions, and these too ern ancl central American commerce, 

 expensive for the average student, they and in a fe w years, when the Panama 

 are too technical or too incomplete. A Canal has become an actuality, this ben- 

 book to be of real value as a text-book ent would be immeasurably increased. 

 must be direct, simple, and comprehen- The proposed Florida canal, however, 

 sive. These elements are very evident is onl y P art of a larger project which 

 in "Forest Trees of the Pacific Slope.'' is thoroughly deserving of support and 

 The plainly worded and accurate de- which only waits the favorable action 

 scriptions, together with the natural- ^ Congress. All the way southward 

 sized illustrations, cannot fail to ac- from the Ba J of Massachusetts the 

 complish the purpose for which the topography of the coast facilitates and 

 book was written. Too much attention invites the creation of a series of wa- 

 cannot be directed to a matter so vital terways which will make it possible for 

 as our forests and it is highly gratify- sea-going vessels to pass from Boston 

 ing that the Forest Service authorizes to New Orleans nearly the whole dis- 

 the distribution of such valuable litera- tance through natural or artificial inland 

 ture. Volume II will be devoted to channels. Some of the necessary work- 

 trees of the Rocky Mountain region, has already been accomplished by pri- 

 and two others will take up the trees of vate enterprise. Canals which only 

 the East and of the South. It is sup- neetl to be deepened to serve as links 

 posed that the shrubs of North America in the chain traverse New Jersey and 

 will be dealt with as fully as the trees. Delaware, while a private company is 

 Particular interest is felt in the Rocky engaged in opening a passage across 

 Mountain volume, as this covers the the narrow, sandy strip of land which 

 Southwest territory where so little has now compels the making of a long de- 

 been done to acquaint us with the arbo- tour around Cape Cod. Steps have also 

 rescent flora of that important region, been taken toward the enlargement of 

 Mr. Siuhvorth's ability to accomplish the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal to 

 the arduous task assigned him is un- the extent demanded by the require- 

 (|uesti<mecl. Any literature on trees nients of modern commerce, and it may 

 hearing his name inspires enthusiastic be expected that Congress, whose fail- 

 interest among students and teachers, ure to act in the matter at its last 

 and the deference of his fellow-workers session did it no credit, will not much 

 in the science of forestry. longer delay to provide the legislation 

 &' % upon which the project waits. 



To Connect the Atlantic with the Gulf . Tt wil1 be the less hkely to do SO 



~,, lf those who appreciate the immense 



Mississippi Atlantic Inland Wa- desirability of the vast improvement in 



terway Association at its convention contemplation will resolutely keep up 



Columbus, Ga last month, declared and energetically prosecute the agita- 



Dngly m favor of connecting the tion in which they are engaged That 



