' m^j^^i';5;:i';^iyA;^.uiMi^i^;^^ ' 



ftSMwoM RocoM 



Published in the InlerrsI of the American Hardwood ForesU, the Products thereof, and Logging, Saw 

 Mill and Wood-Working Machinery, on the 10th and 25lh of each Month, by 



THE HARDWOOD COMPANY 



Henry H. Gibson, Editor and Manager 

 Edwin W. Meeker"! 

 Hu Maxwell 



^Associate Editors 



Entire Seventh Floor Ellsworth Building 

 537 So. Dearborn Street, CHICAGO 

 Telephones: Harrison 8086-8087-8088 



Vol. XXXVII 



CHICAGO, APRIL 10, 1914 



No. 12 



^t>By)^i>^l>i^^- ■--•v-'^:---^ -^'■^-^^^y^-^:^'^^>^^■^i>^^^^^«^>X'iv^i^:^V>^ 



Review and Outlook 



Haiuiwood Kecord staff takes this occasion to voice its ileep 

 appreciation of the many kiiul expressions wliich have come to 

 us since the death of our late editor, Ilenr)' H. Gibson. It has 

 been a substantial consolation for the loss wliich has been sus- 

 tained in feeling that Mr. Gibson had so niauy and such luval 

 friends. 



The institution which he fouuded, H.\kd\vood Record, will 

 continue to fulfill its mission as an organ representing the hard- 

 wood interests of the country, and will continue as a medium 

 between the manufacturer and consumer of products of the 

 hardwood forests. 



Hardwood Record hopes that its friends in the allieil hard 

 wood and veneer trades will continue to have the same kindly 

 feelings that they have expressed in the past, and will use 

 what Hardwood Record can offer on any and every occasion 

 that might jiresent itself. 



General Market Conditions 



TAK TWO .MOST F.AVOE.\BLK DEVKLOPME.NTS in tlu^ -en 

 eral lit'ld during the last couple of weeks have been an increased 

 development of demand from foreign markets, which is probably a 

 result of a gradual tendency toward more favorable freight rates 

 and material strengthening in the quartered oak markets. It cannnf 

 be said that these developments have resulted, or will result, in 

 generally strengthening (he hardwood situation, which at prejeni is 

 stil! in i-nther an unsatisfactory condition generally speaking, Init 

 these two features are of real importance, indicating a tendeucv to 

 broadening out a demand and a consequent stiffening of prices. 

 The situation abroad, as reported by several large e.xporters, is not 

 in first class shape by any means, but there is a decided indicat ion 

 that there will be a trend toward normal conditions which will 

 eventuallv lend up to resumption of old time form in export trade. 



The situation throughofit the eastern stales continues to be rallier 

 dull, although there has been sonic "chirping up" both in voliirre 

 of inquiries and in total sales. Sales continue, of course, to he of a 

 rather nnf-atisfactory size, but as a general proposition prices an' 

 being held in excellent form. There is no reason to anticipate 

 :inything further in the way of slumps in values. 



Regarding the railroad business: This proposition, according to 

 available reports, seems to be based entirely upon the jmssibility 

 of securing the u per cent increase in general freight rates. As 

 a matter of fact, railroads are simply trading around among the 

 different shops of the various lines throughout the country, accord 

 ing to the immediate requirements of each sho]), and are jirac- 



tically out of the lumber market in their lines of purchases until 

 sudi time as they know which way the question of increased reve- 

 nues will be decided. 



Several prominent railroad officials have put themselves semi- 

 officially on record as stating that the granting of the 5 per cent 

 iiu-rease would mean an immediate return to the purchasing field. 



Favorable logging conditions in some sections of the south- 

 eastern hanlwood territory are being seriously threatened by ex- 

 cessive rains, which Ijave washed out railroads and held up the 

 shipments of logs and lumber. This condition has not yet ap- 

 proached anything generally serious, but for some concerns located 

 in that territory it has assumed serious proportions, as they are 

 II. t sure on taking orders of their ability to make deliveries. 



The general opening up of building weather will unquestionably 

 >timulatc demand from retail yards and, in fact, this stinmlus has 

 already been pretty widely noted and is the strongest point in 

 "onsuniing trade today. Orders are fairly plentiful and of good 

 ■ ize and at prices which are, while not entirely satisfactory, at least 

 :it a reasonable level. The situation as it can be viewed, considering 

 late developments in general business conditions, offers real encourage- 

 mcut whi(di is based on a stimulus in inquiries above noted, the 

 tendency to hold prices firm, more favorable situation in foreign 

 conditions, applied to hardflood lumber in particular, and a general 

 note of ojitimism which continues to be evident everywhere. It is, 

 lit course, tiuc that big business is still holding the clamps tight, 

 but it cannot be said that this policy is a result of anything more 

 tliiin a conservative regard for the tremendous investments which 

 :ire involved. The general outlook bespeaks a necessity for steady 

 continuance in a conservative way, but nevertheless presages a steady 

 development in demand ;ind a steadily augmented strengthening in 

 prices. 



The Cover Picture 



A H.\RI)\VO()P FORKST SCKNK near .lacksonville, Fla., is 

 •'»■ shown in the illustration on the front cover of this issue of 

 Hardwood Rkcord. The picture was furnished by the .1. C. Turner 

 Lumber Company, of New York, which owns the land. In the lan- 

 guage in use in that state the type here shown is called hummock or 

 hammock land. It is distinguished from the flat swamps, where 

 palms grow, and likewise from the sandy tracts covered with pines. 

 The Immmocks are low ridges or slight elevations, and they are usually 

 underlaid by reefs or ledges of corral or limestone. Generally that 

 class of land is very stony. Its soil is thin, except in <lepressions 

 among rocks, where decaying leaves and other vegetation have accu- 

 mul ited during long periods and changed into black humus. 



The threi' (,v|ies of Florida forests are quite distinct. The palms 



