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Published in the Interest of the American Hardwood Forests, the Products thereof, and Logging, Saw 

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



THE HARDWOOD COMPANY 



Edgar H. Defebaugh. President 

 Edwin W. Meeker. Managing Edit 

 Hu Maxwell. Technical Editor 



Entire Seventh Floor Ellsworth Buildm8 

 537 So. Dearborn Street. CHICAGO 

 Telephones: Harrison 8086-8087-8088 



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Vol. XXXVIII CHICAGO, MAY 25, 1914 



jgggsy 



Review and Outlook 



mcient 

 satisfactorv for this 



General Market Conditions 



THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION as affecting hard- 

 wood interests throughout the country continues on about the 

 same basis as within the last few months, but it has developed a 

 more spotty condition for the two weeks past, that is, there does 

 not seem to be the unanimous verdict of slow business through- 

 out the country, as some sections are reporting a slightly more 

 favorable aspect. However, it must be confessed that in the 

 majority of cases reports are of about the same tenor as have 

 been those for several months past. 



The trade seems to have come to the conclusion that no marked 

 increase in demand will be forthcoming until the fall months, 

 although it is very probable that with the prospective settlement 

 of the rate controversy favorable to the railroads, a quantity of 

 stock will be purchased from that source within the next few 

 months. It is not anticipated, however, that this wi 

 to bring general conditions up to a 

 time of the year. 



The entire purchase of hardwood lumber continues to be made 

 up of numerous small orders for immediate use, but considerable 

 gratification has been felt on the part of a good many concerns 

 who have checked up their aggregate sales, which have compared 

 very favorably with previous years. It is unfortunate that this 

 comparison must be made with the excellent sales effected last 

 year, as it has a tendency of creating discouragement, which is an 

 attitude that is not justified. 



Among the larger concerns running a number of plants in dif- 

 ferent points there is a considerable amount- of trading around 

 from plant to plant in order to avoid purchasing new stock. This 

 applies to concerns such as the International Harvester Company. 

 Eeports coming from this class of concerns indicate that the 

 directors are enforcing a more and more rigid policy of economy, 

 which is having a naturally unsatisfactory effect upon purchases 

 of lumber. 



There is no reason for doubt as to the ultimate outcome of the 

 situation, as with excellent fundamental conditions, including a 

 record-breaking crop prediction, the resumption of business is 

 definitely promised for the fall months. 



Among the favorable indications in the hardwood trade are 

 reports delivered at the recent meeting of the Gum Lumber Manu- 

 facturers ' Association at Memphis, in which it was shown 

 that stocks are extremely low and indications point to a stimulus 

 in the demand for gum products. It is predicted that with the 

 resumption of more normal conditions, the gum situation will b'e 

 one of the first to improve. 



Oak stocks are probably not in so favorable a condition as are 

 gum stocks, but they continue to be among the stronger sellers. 

 Of course low-grade lumber going into box and crating material 

 is the best property on the market today. 



The Cover Picture 



MAN IS TRYING to do on the Pacific Coast what nature never 

 succeeded in doing — grow first-class hardwoods in that region. 

 A large number of broad leaf trees are native to the states between 

 the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific ocean, and a few of them yield 

 satisfactory material; but those which do are exceptions to the rule, 

 and the quantity of wood which they are capable of furnishing is 

 totally insufficient to meet the needs of that prosperous country. 

 The forests are rich in soft woods, but are poor in amount of hard- 

 woods and are generally poor in quality. 



The picture which illustrates the cover of this issue of Hardwood 

 Record shows man's effort to assist nature in growing a good class 

 of hardwoods in the West. It is the Wind River Nursery, in Co- 

 lumbia National Forest, Skamania county, Washington. The healthy 

 and vigorous seedling trees are red oaks and black walnuts. They 

 were planted by the United States Eorest Service, and there is no 

 question but that they are in a thriving condition. The seedlings 

 were about two months old at the time this photograph was taken. 

 They are large enough to be in their second year. 



The Wind River Nursery grows coniferous species chiefly, but 

 experiments are being carried on to test thoroughly the practicability 

 of introducing valuable hardwoods in that region. The picture is 

 also interesting from an artistic standpoint. The sharp peak in the 

 background is "Bunker Hill," and the remanant of forest between 

 the nursery and the base of the hill is of a type unfortunately too 

 common in that region. Fire has killed most of the timber. The few 

 living conifers that remain may suffice to restock the ground and 

 start a new groimd; but a hundred years will scarcely suffice to 

 restore what fire has destroyed. 



The hardwood nursery is the chief point of interest. It is one 

 of a number of efforts being made by the government to determine 

 the practicability of growing eastern trees in the western climate. 

 There is no doubt that success will attend the effort in a certain 

 degree. The trees will grow there. Numerous eastern hardwoods 

 have been planted by individuals on the Pacific coast during past 

 years, and some of the trees are now large enough for small sawlogs. 

 As far as growth is concerned the climate seems to be extremely 

 favorable. But rate of growth and size are not the only matters to 

 be considered when the planting of forests is the problem in hand. 

 Quality of the wood is of equal and perhaps greater importance. 



It sonfetimes happens that a tree produces highly valuable wood 



