A New Journal of Forestry

Abstract

SOME articles of importance and interest appear the first number of the new journal, Forestry the number opens with an article on “British Forestry,” by Mr. R. L. Robinson, a Forestry Commissioner. Much of this has appeared in the last report of the Forestry Commission, which has been already discussed in NATURE, It is rather of the nature of propaganda for the public than a technical treatise, for all British foresters will be acquainted with the position tho writer depicts. Mr. H. M. Steven, the editor, follows with a lengthy paper on the “Silviculture of Conifers in Great Britain.” This, and a companion article on the “Silviculture of Hardwoods in Great Britain,” by Mr. W. H. Guillebaud, are of high intrinsic value. In these papers the past history of the principal tree species of Great Britain to the present day are traced, the methods by which they have been grown, and the ills which have so generally resulted in latter times from these methods. The historical data which Mr. Steven gives on the subject of the Scots pine and the European larch, amongst other species, and Mr. Guillebaud's remarks on the oak and beech high forest, are well worthy of careful attention. If a word of caution is required, it may be confined to a necessary recognition that research and experiments based solely on the work of the past ten years should not bo awarded, in tho case of forestry, too great a prominence; for definite data will only bo attainable at the end of a rotation, and in some cases possibly not even then.