16 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



niaile up of iiuMi, luiisos, ainl lio{;s, passoil that way or ikiI. the age 

 of thi' tri'o is proof that it was standiiiK at that icmmiIo time. It 

 was recently cut by the Carrier Liimlier and Mamifacturiiig Com- 

 pany of Sardis, Miss. 



The scene wliieh the picture shows so well is a hanlwooil forest 

 and a log yard. Xo .softwooil is seen. The eqiiii)nient for hauling 

 and the character of the standing timber identify the place as 

 belonging in the South. Though oak is a leading feature of the 

 woodlands, it is only one of many trees which go to the mills in 

 that region. The logs on the dump furnish proof of that fact. 



The size of the oak log on the wagon will attract most attention. 

 It is unusual but not phenomenal. Some trees increase in value in 

 proportion as they increase in size; others add to their value as 

 they grow in both age and size; while still others are most val- 

 uable, in proportion to size, while young. Bulk, therefore, is not 

 the only factor to consider in estimating the worth of a tree, 

 though usually it is the most important. When figured wood is the 

 basis of value, age is essential and size is desirable. This is illus- 

 trated by the oaks and black walnut. Colors, on which some of 

 the figures largely depend for their attractiveness, are deepened by 

 age. Size alone will not always do it; but handsome figure unac- 

 companied by good size is at a disadvantage. 



Certain other trees do not increase in value with age, exccjit as 

 they grow in bulk. Some even deteriorate for certain uses as they 

 age. Hickory and ash are in that class. The wood of these trees, 

 after they have attained the size necessary to pro<luce the stock 

 required for vehicles, handles, and agricultural implements, does 

 not improve as centuries are added. In recoguition of that fact, 

 manufacturers often advertise that they use second growth hickory 

 and ash. That is, they cut their stock from small trees; for 

 "second growth." ivlien the term is so employed, cannot mean any- 

 thing else. 



The young wood is bi'tter because it is tougher if not stronger; 

 and for many uses it is liked better because it is whiter. That is 

 particularly true in the manufacture of handles. Figured wood 

 adds little or nothing to a handle's value; in fact, it may be 

 objectionable. Buyers of woods for vehicles, implements, and 

 handles do not search for the largest ash and hickory to be found. 

 They may take such trees, but it is not because they prefer them. 

 The same rule holds fairly well for oak, and formerly was 

 almost iron bound in its application when oak was used for 

 wagon ni.iti'rial. Before large factories were in existence the old- 

 time village wagon maker went to the forest for his wheel and 

 axle stock. He either cut it himself or supervised the cutting and 

 was his own inspector. He did not select the oldest and largest 

 oaks, though such were plentiful. Those under two feet in diam- 

 eter — down to a foot — ^suited him best. Brashness that comes with 

 age is absent from a tree of that size. The old-fashioned wagons 

 would look peculiar today; but they had lasting properties that 

 would compare with anything in the vehicle line now. The wagons 

 made at Conestoga, Pa., and at Newtown, Va., seventy-five or a 

 hundred years ago were famous in their day; and their fame was 

 due to the tough young oak in their wheels and axles. Every 

 piece was split out to insure against cross grain and knots. 



The appreciation of mature oak is modern. The custom of 

 quarter-sawing made it popular. Figure and color are the chief 

 considerations. Two or three centuries added to the standing 

 tree give tone and class. Toughness is not essential or desirable. 

 The opposite is wanted. The wood must work easily, if the manu- 

 facturer of furniture and finish is to use it. Figure and color are 

 the essentials. It is thus seen that the oak is pre-eminently fitted 

 for one class of commodities while young and for a wholly different 

 class when old. Though the tree may stand five hundred years, 

 there is no time after it has passed a diameter of one foot, when 

 it is not exccliiMit material for one or more kinds of articles. 



An Interesting Resume of Business 



THE CHA:MBER of commerce of the United States has gotten 

 out some mighty instructive literature during its short existence. 

 One of its latest efforts is a compilation of trade analyses covering 



the \arioiis sen ions of flic rountry from the Atlantic to the Pacific 

 coasts. In conni'ction with this written resinne is a chart to show- 

 graphically the aioas affected and the lone of business in the different 

 sections. 



It is interesting to note that a vast bulk of the area of the coun- 

 try, including the entire western section and practically all of Texas, 

 is shown to rejiort "fair business" conditions. A very small area 

 is grouped imder the specification "poor," and this comprises a 

 small secti(m innncdiately adjacent to New York, mainly in New 

 .lerscy, part of eastern Pennsylvania, most of Kentucky, the south- 

 ern part of Tennessee, southern Mississippi, western Arkansas, Mis- 

 souri, most of Oklahoma, soutliern section of Kansas, and about one- 

 half or tlie cenlral portions ut North and Sontli Dakota and 

 Wyoming. 



It is apparent that this unfavorable report emanates from the 

 agricultural sections of the country, mainly, and in view of the cash 

 returns from this year's crops, it is rather diflicult to reconcile these 

 conditions. It would indicate, however, that the actual cash received 

 liy the producer has not been what he had anticipated, and that the 

 l)ulk of the tdtimate price paid for agricultural products was realized 

 liy the links in the chain between the producer and the consumer. 



-Maine and New Hampshire are shown as exhibiting good business 

 conditions throughout as are also West Virginia and Wisconsin. The 

 greater part of Montana is also shown in this category. Other states 

 reporting favorably are the northern part of Iowa, most of Alabama, 

 central Pennsylvania, northern Ohio and Indiana, western Tennessee 

 and northern Mississippi. This means that with the exception of 

 the Montana territory, all reports of really good business come from 

 the states east of the Mississippi and the white area shown which 

 iei)resents the sections reporting under this classification, really com- 

 jirises quite a little of the eastern half of the United States, and 

 offers a very substantial area in excess of the shaded portion repre- 

 senting poor business. 



Thus it can be seen that with good reports and poor reports bal- 

 ancing with a slight balance in favor of the former, and with reports 

 of fair business i)redominating largel.v, the general idea of business 

 conditions is not discouraging at all throughout the country. It is 

 reasonable to suppose that the information gathered by the National 

 Chamber of Commerce is authentic. It is also probable that the 

 information has been in the process of collation for some little time, 

 and that since the beginning of this effort conditions have improved 

 somewhat. Hence, there is real reason to believe that the year 1914 

 will lie favorable to Inisiness in general. 



Chicago Building Situation 



REPORTS IN CIRCULATION in Chicago territory would indi- 

 cate that there is absolutely no hope for the building situation 

 in that city, but this expression is more or less belied by observation 

 in the various apartment sections of the city. 



A casual survey of the residential districts shows there are innu- 

 merable flat buildings of all types being erected, which would indicate 

 that there is and will continue to be a good call for building materials 

 going into this construction. This of course is the type of building 

 that most affects the lumberman, for while the construction of of- 

 fice buildings may slacken in activity, the falling oft' in this line is not 

 unduly serious as the quantity of lumber there consumed as compared 

 to the consumption in the planning of flat buildings is, comparatively 

 speaking, not great. 



Missouri Ouster Decision 



RECENT PROCEEDINGS directly affecting the lumber ' trade 

 make it evident that the suggestions of President Wilson regard- 

 ing the ajijdication of the antitrust law might well be put into effect 

 on a nation-wide basis, and the entire matter confined strictly to 

 federal control. It may be remembered that the President has ex- 

 pressed himself as favoring only action which will clarify the issues 

 as set forth by the anti-trust law and that it is not the intention 

 of the administration to drastically revise the provisions of that act. 

 A recent issue of the sui)reme court of the state of Missouri, whereby 

 a large number of the most important yellow pine manufacturers in 



H 



