It is the policy of FAO to review here only selected publications which appear to have a direct bearing on the current work of the Forestry Division.
OEEC: Some publications of the organization for European economic co-operation Paris, France
1951: Yearbook of forest products statistics
THE ARBOREAL FLORA OF ISRAEL AND TRANSJORDAN AND ITS ECOLOGICAL AND PHYTOGEOGRAPHICAL SIGNIFICANCE. M. Zohary. pp. 59. Imperial Forestry Institute, Oxford, England. Institute Paper No. 26, 1951. Price: 5s. 0d.
The territory that was once Palestine has marked topographical variations and a wide range of soils. It is a meeting point of three climatic regions, and phytogeographically it is divided into three zones: Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian and Saharo-Sindian. Each zone has distinct climatic, vegetational and agricultural features. The vegetation, including trees, has come into the country at various geologic periods and from several sources, and there are five main regional groups. Their behavior after establishment in Palestine has depended on the climatic changes which have taken place during geological evolution.
Man's activity has greatly affected the present distribution and abundance of trees and forests, in some cases obliterating them or reducing them to scattered relicts. It is thus of obvious value to foresters and agriculturalists, and to those dealing with conservation of soil and water supplies, to understand what the natural climax types are on the highly varied areas of the country, and it is to this problem that the author has addressed himself. Sixty-two tree species are considered. For each of these the distribution in the region is given at length, and for rarer species precise localities are recorded. For many of them the soil and climatic requirements are given as well, and for most of the species the probable origin or affiliation with the recognized groups of origin is shown.
To those dealing with the energetic afforestation and conservation programs now being undertaken in the area, it is clear that this fundamental investigation will be of value.
DISTRIBUTION OF TREE SPECIES IN THE SUDAN IN RELATION TO RAINFALL AND SOIL TEXTURE. J. D. Smith. pp. 64 and 23 maps and charts. Bulletin No. 4. Ministry of Agriculture, Khartoum, Sudan. 1951. Price: 8s. 0d.
This bulletin is a remarkable contribution to research on the distribution of woody species in arid tropical climates, and, since it establishes a method which can be used in similar research elsewhere, its importance reaches far beyond the confines of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. It concludes with a description of afforestation methods used in the Sudan in regions having very low rainfall - methods which have been developed as a direct result of this research and which seem already to have produced interesting results.
It is not easy to summarize still further a concise and informative bulletin, but in short, the Sudan receives an annual rainfall ranging from zero to 1,400 mm., rising steadily from north to south, and has in the north and north-east an area of sandy soil and in the south-west vast clay plains. The most striking feature about the distribution of the species (which consist chiefly of Acacia spp. in the north and mixed deciduous forests in the south) is that while in each of these two zones the distribution axis is of course parallel to the isohyets, it occurs at a relatively much higher rainfall level on clay soil than on sand. Where the two zones meet there is therefore a break in the distribution axis.
After investigating this situation the author has arrived at the conclusion that the apparent high degree of tolerance of the species in relation to rainfall and soil texture (relative clay content) would be quite the opposite if the two factors were considered simultaneously. A study of the natural vegetation on the various datum soils (i.e. soils whose texture has attained a climax equilibrium in relation to the normal precipitation, an equilibrium which is marked by the fact that all of the precipitation is absorbed and retained against the forces of gravity) has enabled him to draw up charts for the principal species of the Sudan, the co-ordinates of which are the percentage clay content and the total annual rainfall. These charts are of primary importance in determining the conditions under which a given species can be introduced by artificial regeneration.
A further indication from this research is that the regions which are best suited to planting with species whose rainfall requirements are known, are not those with a relatively high clay content - which would appear to be the more moist - but rather sandy soils previously considered arid. In effect, afforestation on clay desert, which has always constituted a major problem, has only been successful after the reestablishment of sand cover by means of " sand-traps. " It has been possible to establish Prosopis juliflora by this method, even in very arid soils. This plant is of ma for importance since it is resistant to goat-grazing and in addition provides considerable quantities of firewood and a highly nutritive pod-fodder for cattle.
CANADIAN WOODS: THEIR PROPERTIES AND USES. Canadian Forestry Branch, Forest Products Laboratories Division. pp. 367, illus. Department of Resources and Development, Ottawa Canada, 1951. Second edition. Price: Can. $3.00.
If anyone wishes to know what productive forestry adds up to, he may well be referred to the 1951 edition of Canadian Woods. This is a book of which the Canadian Government and all who participated in its preparation and publication must feel proud. It brings up to date the numerous results of investigations of the Forest Products Laboratories during the past 18 years. As D. A. MacDonald, Canada's Director of Forestry, says in the foreword, " research is an unending task, seldom spectacular, always progressive and one that adds continually to the fund of basic and specific data readily available. There have been many developments since... 1935, all intended to promote and facilitate more effective wood utilization. " There can be little question that the present edition adequately portrays the vital role wood plays in Canada's national economy.
The early stages of the preparation of the book were supervised by T. A. McElhanney, Superintendant of the Ottawa Laboratory, now retired, the present Chief of the Forest Products Laboratories Division, J. H. Jenkins, was responsible for the final directions. Seventeen individual members of the Vancouver and Ottawa Laboratories prepared the separate chapters covering Canadian woods, commercial timbers and their classified uses; structure; mechanical and physical properties; seasoning of lumber; decay and stains; preservative treatment; chemical utilization, secondary wood-using industries; veneers, plywoods and wood adhesives, including good descriptions of glues and gluing and of dielectric heating; glued laminated constructions; shipping containers; timber fastenings, and pulp paper, and related products.
The text is concisely written, there are illustrations, and statistical tables.
Besides the brief descriptions of the principal commercial timbers of Canada, the book includes a good list of definitions of terms used in the lumber industry, the numerous uses of Canadian species, a key to the identification of woods commonly used in Canada, and selective lists of reference. Other useful items are a tabulation of the advantages and disadvantages of different types of dry kilns, drying schedules of many woods, chemical analyses of a large number of species, heating values of woods, standards of plywood sizes, and a number of formulae used in computations in the various tables.
Especially to be remarked are the lay-out and design of the publication which make it an attractive accounting to the Canadian people of the work of the country's technicians.
AMERICAN WOODS. Shelley E. Schoonover. pp. 250. Wattling & Co. Santa Monica, California, U.S.A. 1951. Price: U.S. $7.50.
This attractively illustrated book is written for the man who enjoys wood, who appreciates the beauty of figure and color, and tries to bring out these properties by his own skill in shaping and finishing wood into useful objects. Such wood craftsmen designers, and artists, will find here interesting and practical information.
The author has not attempted an exhausting listing of species, but he has made a useful selection of those which are representative of larger groups or genera. Especially helpful are the chapters dealing with the structural characteristics of wood to explain in a non-technical way, how a tree grows, the difference between springwood and summerwood, and between sapwood and heartwood. On the practical side, the discussion of methods of cutting logs into lumber and veneers, the seasoning of wood and the grain and figures in wood, will be found informative.
The major part of the book is devoted to individual species, over 40 softwoods or conifers, and over 90 hardwoods or broad-leaved species. For most of these the author gives a description of the tree, its growth range, the characteristics of the wood and the uses.
A list of references, and of dealers who can supply various woods should prove of value. The 10 page index makes it easy to find any desired information in the book.
WATER AND MAN, A STUDY IN ECOLOGY. J. Forman and O. E. Fink. Friends of the Land, Columbus, Ohio. 1950. Price: $4.50.
The papers which make up this publication were presented at the eight annual meeting of the " Friends of the Land, " a non-profitmaking, non-partisan organization concerned with the conservation of natural resources.. This organization was founded some ten years ago by officials, professors, farmers, bankers, writers and citizens interested in public welfare, and it continues to draw its members from many and varied walks of life.
It works through education and propaganda rather than through political action, and produces a quarterly review, " The Land, " in which appear original articles - appraisals of situations, legislative proposals and trends by experts and laymen, essays, reviews and choices of new books, letters and notes.
The papers that make up the present volume - edited and supplemented by members of the organization - were contributed by 30 eminent authorities and deal with many aspects of the central theme: splash erosion on bare soil as the start of trouble; uncontrolled water forces; the use of water and its influence on civilizations, plants and animals; the prime facts about watersheds; increasing needs for water for irrigation purposes, air conditioning and industry, as well as actual or developing shortages; the results of river pollution, the problems of mineral content and purity.
There is little in this book that is new to the specialist. It is, rather, a sound but brief recapitulation of known facts. Its value lies in bringing together in one place a competent summary and interpretation of so vast and important a subject. Informed opinion is essential in stimulating conservation and its ally forestry. The intelligent layman, the non-technical official and the student of civilization will all find valuable information and so will the practicing forester.
DANMARKS SKOVFYPROBLEM (Scots pine problems on the heath and dunes of Denmark) s. l. (Beretning nr. 101) English Summary. E. C. L. Løfting. Danish Forest Experiment Station. Copenhagen. 1951. Price to be supplied later.
Reporting on the importance of climatic conditions for growth limits and choice of provenance, Løfting shows what races of Scots pine (P. sylvestris) should be used in the heath and dune areas of Denmark and indicates the silvicultural possibilities of specific areas. He points out that choice of proper provenance should result in wider use of this species in regions where spruce does not thrive and also, as an auxiliary, where spruce does well, for example in the heath regions of central Jutland. He also shows that because of its sensivity to variations in climate, the various races of Scots pine are good indicators of growing conditions in different regions; however, the limiting factors of this species are often different from those of other species, and the behavior of Scots pine should not be taken, therefore, as a guide to the behavior of other species.
The report also contains a geographic survey of Scots pine distribution in Europe which shows that this species occurs on dry hot southerly slopes in northern-continental climates, as well as in Atlantic climatic zones. Optimum sites are found in East Prussia and the Baltic countries and in particular areas throughout Sweden.
An historical survey of the seed trade shows that most of the Scots pine seed imported into Denmark was of a too " southern-continental " origin, thus accounting for the poor results obtained except on particularly suitable sites.
The author summarizes the experience from provenance tests in other countries from the standpoint of application to Danish silviculture, he describes the results of cultivation of this species in Denmark, and the comparative behavior of individual plantations of different provenance particularly with regard to straightness or twisting of the main stem and character of branching.
In an effort to relate growth to climatic conditions Løfting estimated the average temperature (penta-therm) and the average monthly precipitation (penta-precipitation) during the 5 months May-September and plotted them on maps. He then computed a ratio as the " reduced rainfall factor " from these two values by reducing the monthly penta-precipitation (the numerator) in millimetres by 30 mm. and the penta-therm (the denominator) by 7 degrees, in order, as he says, to bring their zero points " into a position where the precipitation and temperature begin to affect the development of Scots pine. " This fraction expresses the moisture conditions of the growing season, but can serve only as a rough guide. He then mapped these ratios and examined the terrain and such soil conditions as water-holding capacity and humus conditions, to compare the development of spruce, Austrian pine, and Scots pine.
Comparisons were also made of penta-terms above and below ground level. On the basis of these comparisons and the " reduced rainfall factors " and behavior of tree plantations, the author lays down certain rules for the choice of provenance of Scots pine for Danish conditions.
It would be interesting to see the results of similar studies in a number of countries, done as carefully as this one, to provide forest planters with a useful guide that would enable them to avoid the choice of unsuitable species or races of individual species for various planting conditions.
DAS RÜCKEN DES HOLZES. (Logging Techniques). H. Gläser. Bayerischer Landwirtschaftsverlag. Munich. 1951. Price: DM. 5.20.
In forest economy the operation of logging has up to now played the role of Cinderella. While felling and woodworking methods have been studied in detail and the development of improved transport systems is far advanced, logging is still largely governed by tradition. I his is perhaps attributable to the fact that it occupies a border line position between producer and consumer, being an operation which falls as much to the lot of the forest owner as to the timber contractor or even to the purchaser. It is, however, due above all to the fact that it depends largely on local conditions and variable factors, including the terrain, condition of soil, composition of the stand climate, stocking, transport facilities, etc. As these factors can vary indefinitely, it is extremely difficult to establish general principles for logging, and, in fact, the possibility of introducing standard practices is virtually excluded. It is, nevertheless, an important link (and often the most costly) in the chain of operations by which a tree is converted into economic wealth. In this present publication - a volume of 250 fully illustrated pages - the author has collected the most important current information in this relatively unexplored field.
After outlining certain general principles of which one could have wished to see the question of transport networks treated more fully - the author examines the factors involved and the opposition likely to be encountered in improving logging methods. He discusses the methods of extracting long logs; the extento to which manual labor and the force of gravity can be used, as well as draught animals, tractors, winches teleferics, skidders, and their accessories, such as carts, sledges, attachments for dragging by means of cables and pulleys, sulkies and trailers. All the most recent methods developed in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, with several pages devoted to American skidders, are described briefly and some indication of production and operation costs given. France, among other countries not included, could have provided interesting examples of logging developments witch should have helped to make this section more complete.
A second section of the book is devoted to the logging of quarter logs and ordinary logs and their means of transport - by hand, by carts and sledges, draught animals jeeps and tractors equipped with trailers or sledges, or by cable and teleferic.
In conclusion, the author gives some indication of the time required for logging different kinds of timber in given conditions, and attempts a comparison of the various methods. For example, skidders do not lend themselves to conditions in Germany, v. here the horse and the tractor are the chief means of logging; for numerous reasons among them social reasons - the horse remains the primary logging " machine. " For fuel wood the lumberman requires hand carts to avoid manual transport, the most arduous of forest operations.
One should not expect this book to provide a synthesis of logging techniques, which at the present stage of development it is not possible to establish, nor yet readymade methods for an operation which above all others is dependent on local conditions. What one does find is a concise description of a large number of different techniques, and a mine of new ideas which will help the individual to choose the most suitable methods for his particular conditions. In this respect the author has indeed attained his object of arousing interest in a much neglected branch of forest exploitation.
POSSIBILITIES OF INCREASING THE USE OF TROPICAL TIMBER
This study, written by international experts, includes maps, statistics, illustrations and a classified list of tropical species. Available in English and French; pp. 95. Price French Frs. 240,
AFRICAN TROPICAL TIMBER - NOMENCLATURE - DESCRIPTION
Part I gives the English, Belgian, French, Dutch and Portuguese names of the main species of African tropical trees, and also their botanical names and category.
Part II gives the trade names and a brief description of the wood and its possible uses. An indication of the demand abroad for each wood is included.
Bilingual, English-French; pp. 421. Price French Frs. 450,
THE PULP AND PAPER INDUSTRY IN THE U.S.A.
A comprehensive general and technical survey of the industry written by a mission of European experts to the U. S. A.
Available in English and French; pp. 378. Price French Frs. 1,000,
AMERICAN FOREST OPERATIONS AND TROPICAL TIMBER PRODUCTION
A well-illustrated report by a group of international experts who studied methods of forest exploitation and development in sub-tropical forest areas of the United States and compared them with methods applied in tropical areas.
Contains descriptions of operations and also recommendations.
Available in English and French; pp. 88. *
THE AMERICAN POPLAR. ITS IMPORTANCE FOR EUROPE
In 1950 a group of European experts travelled over a vast area of the United States studying the cultivation of the poplar. This publication is a report of their findings for use in poplar cultivation in Europe. With photographs and tables.
Available in English and French; pp. 53. *
* Price on application from OEEC, 2 Rue André Pascal, Paris XVI.
Fifth Yearbook of international forest products statistics to be published by FAO. It contains 1950 official information on production and trade and revised data for 1949, as reported by more than one hundred countries and territories in reply to a standard questionnaire.
The statistical tables are preceded by a short text which gives some salient features of the 1950 world situation. World and regional figures given here include estimates for non-reporting countries; in the statistical tables, the totals are for reporting countries only.
This Yearbook provides the most consistent and useful body of international forest products statistics now available. The tables cover the following topics:
· ROUNDWOOD
Total Output
Sawlogs & Veneer Logs - Trade
Pulpwood - Trade
Pitprops- Output & Trade
· PROCESSED WOOD
Lumber, Plywood, and Sleepers -
Production - Consumption - Trade
· WOOD PULP, NEWSPRINT,
PAPER AND PAPERBOARD,
AND FIBERBOARDS
Production - Consumption - Trade
· WORLD TRADE - Summary
Volume of Imports and Exports
Value of Imports and Exports
· COMPARATIVE DATA
Forest Products Balances
Per Caput Consumption
of Forest Products
Forest Areas
1951 YEARBOOK OF FOREST PRODUCTS STATISTICS. published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Bilingual: English-French. With Spanish supplement. Paper bound. 8½ X 11 in Rome. Italy, Price US $2.50 12s 6d.
ROMA, 1952 - Soc. TIPOGRAFICA CASTALDI
