1885.] THE TIMBER TRADE OF MEMEL. 129 



Brought forward, 

 500 Larches, 2 years, 1 year, at 14s. per 1000, 

 2100 Scots lir, 3 year, 1 year, at 7s. per 1000, 

 100 Mixed Hardwood, at 30s. per 1000, . 

 Planting, etc. the acre, ..... 

 Proportion of drainage per acre, 



Total cost per acre, 



The cost in England and Wales and the low^-lying parts of 

 Ireland is on an average £7 per acre. In these countries hardwood 

 trees are more commonly planted, the herbage is more rank, and 

 more draining is required ; and in the two former countries labour is 

 more costly. 



In all parts of the kingdom, however, the enterprise of our public 

 nurserymen has made the procuring of trees easy at low prices ; and 

 if the waste lands of our country remain unproductive, it cannot be 

 attributed to the difficulty or cost of procuring trees. Why do the 

 waste places remain waste, and the barren unfruitful, while the 

 labourer wants work, and capital investment ? Why does the wind 

 sweep silent over treeless solitudes, while it might be making music 

 among the boughs, and in joyous response " the forest clap its 

 hands " ? 



THE TIMBER TRADE OF MEMEL. 



BY HENRY F. MOORE, FROME, SOMERSET. 



SO far as the timber trade of Memel is concerned, a recent report 

 by Vice-Consul Eichter to our Foreign Office shows that of 

 late the demand in all markets was slack and prices receding. 

 England, the principal customer for Memel, showed no inclination 

 for any larger transactions. The facility given by the increasing 

 number of steamers to provide for any demand in a short time, 

 even the largest quantities, is gradually changing the accustomed 

 mode of business, rendering all speculation unnecessary. The stock 

 which remained unsold was large, and sales of the same could be 

 effected only with difficulty at gradually declining prices, and in 

 many cases at a loss ; still considerable quantities were not sold yet 

 when the new supplies from Poland arrived. These had been 

 delayed by high water and contrary winds in the channels and the 

 river Niemen, and arrived late, so that merchants here had only the 

 two months, August and September, to purchase the quantity they 



