CXVI REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 



most noticeable instance of decline occurred in the shipment of cotton. 

 Our cotton exports for 1902 had a value of $292,000,000, or alwut 

 $23,000,000 less than the figures recorded in 1901, when there were 

 shipments worth $315,000,000. 



Trade ix Forestry Products. 



The more active interest recentl}- aroused in the question of forestry 

 in the United States has created a larger demand for statistical infor- 

 mation regarding our commerce in forestry" products. To meet this 

 demand the office devoted considerable time during the j^ear to the 

 preparation of statistics on the subject. 



Last 3'ear the United States exported nearly §50,000,000 worth of 

 forest products. Lumber in its various forms, not including heavy 

 timber, comprised the principal item, the shipments under this head 

 having a value of about $26,000,000. The exports of heavy timber, 

 sawed, hewn, or in logs, were valued at about $10,000,000. Wood pulp 

 and the minor products of the forest together formed an item of about 

 $13,000,000. 



Europe furnishes the principal foreign markets for American lumber. 

 The United Kingdom is decidedh' the largest purchaser, but extensive 

 sales are also made each 3"ear to France and to German3\ Markets for 

 our lumber, however, are found in nearly every quarter of the world. 

 The neighboring countries of Canada and INIexico make considerable 

 purchases. A promising market is now being developed on the island 

 of Cuba, where in 1902 consignments worth over $1,000,000 were 

 received. During the last few years a considerable export business 

 in lumber has been established with the Philippine Islands. In 1902 

 shipments valued at §246,000 found a sale there. These islands, 

 although rich in tropical hard woods, promise to afford an extensive 

 market for the building lumber supplied so abundantly by the great 

 timber districts of our Paeiric slope region. Additional markets for 

 that region will undoubtedh' also be developed in other parts of the 

 Orient. 



Notwithstanding the immense timber areas of the United States, a 

 larger sum is annualh' expended in the importation of forest products 

 than is received in payment for such products exported. This is 

 because of our extensive requirements as regards certain articles 

 yielded only by the forests of the Tropics. It is quite probable that 

 before many 3'ears the island possessions of the United States, and 

 particularly the Philippine Islands, will suppl}- a large part of the 

 tropical forest products we are now obliged to import from foreign . 

 sources. 



Trade with Island Possessions. 



In view of the lively interest that is taken in the course of trade 

 between the United States and the several island possessions, the office 



