THE WESTERN HEMLOCK. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The stimulus apparent in the lumber industry of the Northwest 

 within the last few years, with the recent immense investments in 

 standing timber in that region and the realization that its supply is 

 limited, has created an interest in the long-despised Western Hemlock. 

 This species forms 13 per cent of the forests of Washington and is 

 abundant in many parts of Oregon. Apparent inability to utilize it 

 is one of the most serious factors in the local lumber problem. Were 

 it practicable for the Hemlock to stand unharmed until it became 

 established in the market there would be less cause for immediate 

 concern. But, seldom growing in pure stands, the Hemlock in mix- 

 ture with the Red Fir, Spruce, and Cedar now being logged is left 

 standing by the lumberman to be destoyed by fire, wind, or insects, a 

 complete loss to the owner and to the communitj^. 



This waste is in line with the history of lumbering in the North- 

 eastern and Lake States, but with more serious result and with less 

 justification. The Eastern Hemlock is an inferior wood, and therefore 

 was left uncut until more valuable species became scarce. The disad- 

 vantage of the Western Hemlock has been not its quality, but its 

 confusion with the Eastern species. It has been condemned without 

 trial except by a few, who, realizing the difficulty of convincing the 

 market, have manufactured under the names of Fir, Spruce, or Alaska 

 Pine as much Hemlock as they dared without fear of detection. 



The importance of bringing Hemlock into the market on a large 

 scale is now being realized and its surreptitious use is somewhat greater 

 than it was formerlv. There is still, however, a total lack of oraran- 

 ized effort, and practically nothing is done to acquaint the consumer 

 with its merits. 



DISTRIBUTION. 



The Western Hemlock extends from Alaska southward to Marin 

 County, Cal., to the coast region in California and southern Oregon in 

 the southern, and east to Montana in the northern, portion of the belt 

 The first printed mention of the species occurs in an account of the 

 voyage of Admiral Vancouver, a British navigator, who visited Puget 

 Sound in May. L792. In .July of the following year Alexander Mac- 

 it 



