130 THE TIMBER TRADE OF MEM EL. [June 



require for the whole year. The Polish owners, who, iu the expecta- 

 tion that the favourable state of 1882 would continue, had purchased 

 the forests at high prices, could with difficulty resolve upon bearing 

 great losses, and reluctantly accommodated their demands to existing 

 circumstances ; therefore not all the timber which came down has 

 been sold, and particularly of fir and pine beams some lots were 

 withheld, and have been placed into winter quarters at Euss. The 

 new arrival is valued at about £441,970, whereas in the previous 

 year £519,215 worth came down. The larger part of this deficienc}'' 

 arises by the lower value of oak staves, of which moreover the 

 supply was 20 per cent. less. The value of all the timber exported 

 was £614,200, against £609,650 in the year preceding. The 

 shipments were effected in 647 sailing and 140 steamships, burden 

 197,804 tons, against, in 1882, 667 sailing and 56 steamships, 

 with 150,565 tons, therefore the quantity exported has increased 

 31 per cent., the value of the same only about |; per cent., owing 

 principally to the larger shipments of sleepers, a bulky article of less 

 value than other wood goods. 



Fir and Pine Beams. — The total arrival consisted of 72,780 

 pieces, of which 64,200 were sold, and 8580 remained unsold, and 

 brouglit in to winter quarters in the river. From the beginning of 

 the year, sales to England could be effected only with difficulty, the 

 first prices, 52s. 6d. to 47s. 6d., for second middle average length, 26 

 to 27 feet, could not be maintained, and finally 41s. was accepted. 

 Manerlatten beams, of weaker dimensions, from 42s. 6d. and 40s., 

 declined to 33 s. per load. 



Fir and Pine Bound. Logs. — Owners of sawmills, being anxious 

 to procure full employment for their mills, have again paid too high 

 prices for logs, and as corresponding rates could not be obtained for 

 sawn goods, have done a losing business. Three-inch fir planks at 

 first bringing £7, 15s. per standard for second sort, and £6, 15s. for 

 third, soon declined to £7 and £6 respectively. Pine planks sold 

 at about 10s. per standard less, but in autumn the demand some- 

 what improved. 



Fir and Pine SlcejKrs. — The supplies coming to our market 

 are increasing from year to year. This larger supply has been 

 caused by contracts during the winter, based upon the then ruling 

 prices of 29 s. to 29 s. 6d. per load, which at the opening of 

 the navigation were still obtainable, but as the demand for England 

 soon slackened, they gradually declined to 26s. This rate leaves 

 no profit, but as the article gives employment to many labourers 

 who otherwise would have to be discharged, merchants are 

 anxious to cultivate this branch. With the present method 

 of loading timber, steamers are scarcely able to avoid finding 



