APPENDIX. 37 



that time it rose to 172 M., in 1882 ; fell to 125 M., in 1884, and in 

 1887 the 3-ield was about 150 million feet. 



Statistics show that since 1863 the production of spruce and other 

 woods has been more uniform, and that the falling off has been 

 mostly in pine, from 101 million in 1856, to only 29 million in 1887. 



The above estimate does not include cedar for shingles nor pulp- 

 wood, only lumber recorded in the Surveyor General's office in 

 Bangor. Mr. Walker informs me that about 3 M. feet of unsurveyed 

 box-board lumber is annually consumed at the Basin Mills. 



To secure the present supply, lumbermen have to go farther each 

 year toward the head waters of the streams ; cut trees much smaller 

 and poorer in quality, construct roads and dams, and avail them- 

 selves of timber lands, a few years ago regarded practicall}' inacces- 

 sible. Yet regardless of these facts and figures, we find many who 

 assume that there is more lumber grown in Maine each year than is 

 cut. 



If the annual growth is equal to the demand our forests should 

 continue a supply of lumber in quantity and quality equal to the 

 virgin growth. One has only to compare the logs driven down the 

 Penobscot now with those cut twenty years ago to convince himself 

 that not only the quantity but the qualit}' of the lumber has greatly 

 deteriorated. Logs now cut will not average much over one hundred 

 feet, while twenl}- years ago they would average several hundred 

 feet. 



The virgin forests are being rapidly preyed upon and even now 

 the area accessible to the streams is small and railroads are being 

 constructed to reach the remainder. The annual supply is now 

 largely cut from second and even third growth, and the time is 

 approaching when the entire yield will have to come from forests 

 once cut over. The first growth pine has been practically cut, reduc- 

 ing the yield from 101 M. in 1856 to 29 M. in 1888. There are 

 only limited areas in Maine where pine follows {)ine, and when it 

 does, the second growth is inferior. The second growth spruce 

 which took its place is now being rapidly cut. The hemlock growth 

 once cut is practica ly extermin -ted. 



The large trees of our virgin forests were from 150 to 350 years 

 old. We are now cutting timber the accumulated growth of tha 

 length of time. The forests once cut over then the supply will have 

 to come from small trees and a much greater number will be required^ 

 A considerable part of the forest area of Maine has been so closely 



