REVIEWS OF BOOKS. 



321 



one of which goes far towards elucidating the text. Particularly valuable 

 are the chapters on " Storing Timber," and on " The Defects of Trees " — 

 the results of many carefully conducted experiments and keen observa- 

 tion, while the description of European and other timber-producing trees 

 is most valuable for reference purposes and full of interesting notes. 



There are, however, a few omissions, such as no mention being made 

 of the produce of willow timber in the production of cricket bats, and for 

 which a very high price can be obtained. Neither is poplar timber fully 

 treated on, for its consumption in the making of packing-cases and for 

 stone-carts and barrows is very considerable. 



But these are minor omissions, and altogether this work is by far the 

 most valuable of any that has been compiled on timber and timber- 

 producing trees, and is a decided acquisition to all who are engaged in the 

 growing or converting of wood, be it home or foreign. 



"British Forest Trees and their Sylvicultural Characteristics and 

 Treatment." By John Nisbett, D.CEc. 8vo., 352 pp. (Macmillan, 

 London.) 6s. net, 



The author tells us that his book "is, and only professes to be, to 

 a considerable extent, a compilation from the best German sources." 

 Though savouring greatly of Continental ideas, in the matter of timber 

 culture at least, there is much within the 352 pages of which the book 

 is composed that will interest and possibly edify the student of forestry in 

 this country. 



The criticism on portions of the article on " Woodlands," by Sir 

 Herbert Maxwell, which appeared in the "Nineteenth Century" (July 

 1891), is severe in the extreme, but only what might be expected from one 

 whose knowledge of Indian and Continental methods of woodland 

 management is extensive as compared with what is practised in this 

 country. Mixed plantations are no doubt good enough, but those who 

 have examined the pure larch or Scotch pine woods of Scotland, or beech 

 woods of parts of England, can only come to the conclusion that, whether 

 for ease of management or readiness with which the produce may be 

 marketed, pure forest is preferable to mixed. The comparison between 

 Thomas Carlyle and our average British forester, in point of knowledge of 

 woodland management, must not be taken as serious, and sounds strange 

 to one who knew well the capabilities of the great writer in that respect. 

 When a new edition of the work is brought out many additions can be 

 made, such as up-to-date information regarding that pest of our beech- 

 woods — Cryptococcus fagi; and the reafforesting of waste and unprofitable 

 lands in various parts of the country. 



"Game and Game Coverts." By John Simpson. Sm. 4to., 83 pp. 

 (Pawson & Brailsford, Sheffield.) 15s. net. 



There are few books dealing exclusively with game coverts, and 

 Mr. Simpson is to be congratulated for giving us a well-written and 

 illustrated work on the subject, though in the matter of trees and shrubs 

 that have been found valuable for game coverts the list is not as com- 

 prehensive as could be desired. The formation of game coverts differs 

 so much on various estates that on no two properties do we find either 



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