Published In the Interest of Hardwood Lumber. American Hardwood Forests. Wood Veneer Industry, Hardwood Flooring. 

 Hardwood Interior Finish, Wood Chemicals. Saw Mill and Woodworking Machinery. 



Vol. XX. 



CHICAGO, JUNE 10, 1905. 



No. 4. 



flaMwoMRecoS 



Published on (he 10th and 25th of each month 



By The HARDWOOD COMPANY 



HENRY H. GIBSON 

 FRANK W. TUTTLE 



President 

 Sec-Treas. 



OFFICES: 

 Sixth Floor Ellsworth BIdg., 355 Dearborn St., Chicago, III., U.S.A. 



Telephones: Harrison 4960. Automalic 5659. 



TERMS OF ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION: 



In tbe United States, Canada, Philippine Islands and Mexico $2.00 



In all other countries in universal postal union 3.0C 



Subscriptions are payable in advance, and in defaulter written orders to tbe 

 contrary are continued at our option. 



Entered at Chicago Postoffice as Second Class Matter. 



Advertising copy must be received five days in advance 

 of publication date. Advertising rates on application. 



General Market Conditions. 



While reports from many hardwood centers indicate a very 

 thrifty state of trade, from quite a number of other sources comes 

 the report that there is a manifest dragging in respect to orders. 

 Apparently the "ship quick" feature of the trade which has been 

 so manifest during the season, has temporarily been suspended, as 

 has also large buying in anticipation of future wants. 



By no means is the condition an unhealthy one, as all during the 

 year the hardwood situation has been somewhat feverish. A slight 

 slackening in orders will result in no little benefit to the trade at 

 large, as it will enable both manufacturers and buyers to cheek 

 up present and prospective stocks and handle their business with 

 more conservatism. 



It was pointed out several months ago, in the Hardwood Record, 

 that the relative high values of oak would stimulate produc- 

 tion of this wood to an extent that very naturally would militate 

 against values. Wliile this period has not yet arrived, still it is 

 manifest that there is more oak in sight and less greediness on 

 the part of buyers to absorb it than there was thirty days ago. 

 Up to this time manufacturers have not been able to keep even a 

 single carload of dry or green oak in stock, but now it is safe to 

 presume that they will be able to balance up their assortment. 

 Again, the prophecy made by the Hardwood Record as early as 

 January, that there was a manifest shortage of the good end of 

 poplar and that the price would materially advance before mid- 

 summer, has proven true; the same can be said of the reflected 

 value of the good end of basswood. The firsts and seconds and 

 the good end generally of both these woods are in excellent de- 

 mand at good values, which condition will undeniaby continue 

 throughout the year. 



Chestnut, which has been a strong seller ever since last fall, is 

 accumulating somewhat in the hands of manufacturers, and the 

 demand has materially lessened within the last two weeks. 



The northern hardwoods generally are doing mighty well in the 

 market, maple being the leader. 



The trade in gum, while comparativey quiet just now. has shown 

 a marked broadening during the year, and the wood has fair pros- 

 pects for the remainder of the season. 



The demand for box poplar, cottonwood, gum and basswood is 

 not any too strong. 



Many of the hardwoods in minor supply, such as hickory, white 

 ash, rock elm and black ash, are in demand fully up to the output. 



There is very little change in the black walnut and mahogany 

 situation. Both woods seem to be running along at about an even 

 trend, with fair demand, but with very little accretion in value. 



Cypress is still in excellent demand at satisfactory prices, and 

 the wood is showing a broadening in distributing area and use. 



In general, producers of veneers are enjoying a very fair trade, 

 and with the increase of the output of this class of material, they 

 are to a considerable extent militating against the general demand 

 for high-class hardwood lumber. 



Hardwood Dimension Stock. 



The cutting of hardwood dimension stock is a comparatively 

 new allied trade in the hardwood industry. These concerns work 

 out of low grade logs and lumber dimension size materials for 

 the use of the cabinet trade, chair makers, wagon builders and 

 agricultural implement concerns. This branch of the hardwood 

 trade had its advent in the practical idea that a considerable 

 saving might be accomplished by leaving wood refuse at the mill, 

 and not paying freight on it to remote consuming centers where 

 it had formerly been cut up and utilized. In theory the idea is 

 backed by good common sense, and should result in a very profit- 

 able employment. Unfortunately the majority of small dimen- 

 sion stock producers throughout the hardwood districts of the 

 country are passing through the same stage of erroneous figuring 

 that for so many years hampered and rendered profitless the 

 cut-up business in white pine. They seem to fail to take into 

 account labor cost and legitimate waste, and today are supplying 

 the chair maker and others with absolutely clear dimension stock, 

 worth more to the chair builder than planks in firsts and seconds 

 of the necessary thickness from svhich to cut the stock, at prices 

 of from twenty-five to fortj per :ent belovi the value of the 

 lumber. 



This method of handling tl nsion hardwood trade is 



deplorable, and comes about very largely through ignorance of 

 cost and values. It i 



so many years prevailed among the box makers, when appai 

 the only base oi ■ ; a halt a cent 



to a cent less than o 



To hark back to tl P business in white 



pine it is only nece! " ,,w in the 



hands of irors by re: 



of their fitn : "'" °" tne 



that the ' it; -" llave already gone 



- ruin, whi ess in the enter 



In the box mal h - medium 



measures br every box man now- 



