REVIEWS 
Forest Products: Their Manufacture and Use.—Nelson Courtlandt Brown, B.As- ~ 
M.E., pp. xix. + 471, with 120 illustrations. John Wiley and Sons, New York. The 
book purports to present to the student and general reader. the chief commercial features — 
involved in the manufacture and use of the principal forest products, except lumber, 
and to serve as a reference book for those interested. Apparently it has, been written 25 
a text book for students in American forestry schools, and from this point of view it 15 
probably satisfactory. As a reference book, however, the treatment of each of the many 
divisions covered is too brief. The statistical tables, which form so prominent a feature 
of the book, are practically entirely American. It would have been of value if some 
statistics from other countries were added for comparative purposes, especially for 
students. Some of the tables are unsatisfactory. For example, in a book where so mu 
has had to be sacrificed to economy of space, it seems hardly worth while giying a whole — 
page, as on page 339, to details of wood fuel used on farms. ‘The photographs generally 
are not good, as many of them have so much detail crowded in that it is difficult to se? 
the essential features. It is to be regretted that some important matters have bee? 
curtailed, while space has been found for illustrations which in many cases serve D0 
useful purpose. ‘The book is, however, very readable, and, for the general reader requiring 
a clear and simple account of the various processes dealt with, is of undoubted value. 
The information is accurate, and set out clearly. It is as a book of reference that the 
publication fails, owing to the scant treatment necessary to deal with ‘so many subject? 
in a reasonable space. For example, the beating of paper is dealt with in a few line 
and the very important and growing ply-wood industry gets very little space. On? 
noticeable omission is a discussion of gums, resins, and essential oils. Turpentine is the — 
one exception. In the chapter on Tanning the African black wattle is referred to 2° 
Acacia Natalita, whereas it is Acacia decurrens, var. mollis. Very interesting accounts 
are given of such subjects as pulp and paper, tanning materials, vencers, cooperag®, 
distillation, ties, posts, poles, shingles, fuel-wood, maple syrup, rubber, dyewoods, excelsio™ 
and cork. The ground covered is, of course, very extensive, and it is to be hoped tha’ 
the author will carry out his expressed intention of dealing fully with these important 
subjects in a‘series of books. Such a treatment would allow of the result being of real 
_value as books of reference, and, as the present literature on forest products is vely — 
pres Mr. Brown would do a great service in presenting it in a form readily aval 
able. Le : . ;: 
Classification of Australian Wheats.—A bulletin (No. 19), containing a classificatio? 
and detailed description of some of the wheats of Australia, has been issued by the Institute | 
of Science and Industry. This bulletin gives the results of the work which has bee? 
done up to the present by the Seed Improvement Committeo of the Institute of Sciene® 
eee This committee was formed with the object of dealing with the followin’ 
problems :— ; : : 
(1) The nomenclature of cultivated varieties of farm crops. 
(2) The exchange and dissemination of seed samples for research work. 
(3) The elimination of undesirable varieties of crops. 
_(4) The recommendation of money grants to approved State or other institutions 3 
; for work in connexion with seed improvement, and the introduction of improv” 
varieties of crops. ; 
510 
