HARD W O OD RECORD 



49 



nlng and owing to the unusually mild winter thus far, have been able 

 to accomplish mncli more than usual. The output from this section 

 will be considerably larger in a few weelcs when the many small country 

 mills that are now idle are again put into operation. 



■< LOUISVILLE y. 



With lumber in fair supply and the demand well above the average, 

 hardwood men in this market feel that 1913 is doing all that could have 

 been expected of it. It was felt all along that the first six months of tnc 

 new year would bring good business, so that the present eminently 

 satisfactory conditions were in a measure expected. Nevertheless, the 

 realization of a prospective outline of future developments Is a pleasing 

 thing, and is thoroushly appreciated by those in a position to take 

 advantage of the business that is offering itself. Some items of stock are 

 rather scarce, and of course lumbermen who have stock on hand are able 

 to dispose of it at a fairly stiff premium. Hardly anything, in fact. 

 Is found to be oversupplied. as indicated by the fact that some of the 

 largest manufacturers are themselves in the market for lumber with which 

 to take care of their requirements, having found the run on certain items 

 greater than they had anticipated. Consumers in all lines are taking 

 an optimistic view of the situation, and are operating actively. With 

 the railroads buying, and furniture, piano, implement, vehicle and other 

 large wood consumins: interests making hay while the sun of prosperity 

 shines, there is certain to be plenty doing for the hardwood man. 



Prices are stiffening generally, and the advances which have been made 

 are likely to prove permanent. Of course, if business in general is 

 seriously affected by tariff revision, poor crops, or any other untoward 

 factors, lumber will also suffer ; but as there is no need of crossing 

 bridges until they are reached, hardwood men are taking an aggres- 

 sively cheerful view of things and are not trying to discount future 

 improbabilities. 



=•< ST. LOUIS >• 



The hardwood situation is improTing and some activity is reported 

 among the St. Louis hardwood yards, although weather conditions during 

 the past few days have not been such as to permit of much loading. 

 8now and cold weather is proving a handicap to shipments being made. 

 Inquiries are increasing right along. The dealers are feeling quite opti- 

 mistic over future conditions. They believe prices will make further 

 advances, more particularly on items and grades most in demand. Mill 

 supplies are very low, and although operations have kept up nearly to 

 the first of the year, the output will not catch up with the demand. 

 liuyers who have been covering the South looking for dry lumber report 

 a great scarcity of dry stock. The demand at present is mostly for plain 

 oak and ash. There is also a satisfactory call for gum, Cottonwood and 

 cypress. Poplar also is being called for quite freely. The demand for 

 lower grades on all items is increasing and will no doubt continue under 

 the present milling conditions. Cypress is also showing quite a little 

 improvement and good orders are being sent in by traveling nr.-n as well 

 as coming in by mail, the latter mostly for quick shipment. Inquiries 

 are also showing an encouraging increase. 



=< MILWAUKEE y 



The activity on the part of local manufacturing concerns seems to be 

 the leading factor in bringing about the steady improvement which is 

 taking place in the hardwood trade. Practically all the concerns have 

 finished their annual inventories and repair work and again have their 

 plants in operation. Consequently, they are in the market for stock. The 

 genuine shortage of most lines of hardwood, coupled with this increased 

 demand, has caused advances in some lines of upper grade stuff. Higher 

 prices in most lines are expected before the close of the season. Stocks in 

 the hands of jobbers are light, and, as their orders must be placed early 

 In the year, there is no question but that the factories will have all they 

 can do from now on. 



The outlook at this time in the building lield is Indeed bright. There 

 has neve?' been a time in the recent history of the Milwaukee building 

 inspector's office when there has been so much building carried on during 

 the winter months, probably due to the favorable weather which has been 

 received. Contractors and architects say that Inquiries which are being 

 made would indicate a busy spring in the building field. 



Upper grade birch is practically exhausted, while the supply of No. 2 

 and No. ,3 is exceptionally light. Both plain and quarter-sawed oak Is 

 scarce and light shipments are arriving from the South. Basswood In all 

 grades is moving fairly well. Increased activity at al! the farm imple- 

 ment plants here and about the state has resulted in a brisk demand for 

 hickory and ash. Poplar is wanted, but the supply is light. 



.-< DETROIT >-= 



The Detroit hardwood market has shown increased strength in the past 

 thirty days. Prices have been steadily increasing on all grades of hard- 

 woods and dealers report a steady demand. Owing to the mild winter 

 building operations have been carried on steadily and this has kept the 

 hardwood dealers busy. The fiooring trade is exceptionally busy and 

 there has been a good advance in the price of flooring dvie to the increase 

 In the price of rough stock. The veneer and box trades have also been 

 very busy. 



Mutual Fire Insurance 



Best Indemnity at Lowest Net Cost 

 Can Be Obtained From 



The Lumber Mutual Fire Insurance Company, 



Boston, Mas*. 

 The Lumbermen's Mutual Insurance Company, 



Mansfield, Ohio. 



The Pennsylvania Lumbermen's Mutual Fire Insurance Company, 



Philadelphia, Pa. 



The Indiana Lumbermen's Mutual Insurance Company, 



Indianapolis, Ind. 



The Central Manufacturers' Mutual Insurance Company, 



Van Wert, Ohio 



WANT E D 



All Kinds of High-Grade 



HARDWOODS 



S. E. SLAYMAKER & CO. 



Representing Fifth Avenue Buildine- 



WEST VmCrNIA SPRrCE LUMBER CO., " luriw v/^oi^ *' 



Cass, West VirBinia. NEW YORK 



Looking Backward, 1918 



I COULD have bought that tract of timber in 

 1913. It was offered at a low price on an 

 estimate showing the quantity of lumber it 

 would have produced had it been cut at that 

 time. It is worth double that price or more 

 today and through closer utilization it will pro- 

 duce one-third more in values than it would have 

 under methods then in vogue. That would have 

 been at least 



166 per cent, in five years 



Five years from now what will your conclu- 

 sion be? 



"I am glad I bought it," 



Or 



"I wish I had bought it?" 



If you live in the present, if you are interested in present 

 opportunities rather than in reviewing those of the last 

 decade, your conclusions will be "I am glad I bought it." 



If you are a member of the Ancient and Slothful Order 

 of Hindsighters you will tell future generations what might 

 have happened, if — 



James D. Lacey & Company 



Timber Land Factors 



Chicago, 1750 McCormick Building 



Portland, 1104 Spalding Building 



Seattle, 1009 White Building 



