46 Forestry Quarterly. 



grew by 4.6% 'per annum in the average, namely from 23.2 to 



76.3 million, the value of lumber product by 17%, namely from 



60.4 to 566.8 million dollars, and the cost of materials by 20% > 

 namely from 28 to 317.9 million dollars. Making every allowance 

 for defects in the statistics and for advance in prices, the difference 

 is so large that a great increase in wood consumption per capita 

 can be confidently deduced. 



If we compare only the figures for the last 20 years, which are 

 more reliable, we find the Tenth Census recording the value of 

 products at 233 million dollars, with a saw product of 18 billion 

 feet, as against the last Census, reporting 567 million dollars and 

 35 billion feet saw product. In other words, the quantity has 

 doubled, its value nearly trebled, in these 20 years, indicating a 

 change in value of 7 per cent annually in the average (or 4^^ per 

 cent compounding) and an increase in material of 5 per cent 

 in the average (or 3)^ per cent compounding). The popu- 

 lation during this period increased by 2.5 per cent in the average, 

 or, compounding, at 2 per cent, so that it appears that our per 

 capita consumption of lumber alone has increased at a compound 

 rate oi i}4 per cent, or an average rate per annum of 2)4 per cent 

 during the 20 years, not including exports, imports or much other 

 material not reported. 



To assure us that this increase in per capita consumption is a 

 feature of modern industrial activity and higher civilization, not 

 confined to the United States, but pertaining to all civilized nations, 

 we may look at the import statistics of other nations, which give 

 quantities as well as values. 



Great Britain, which is practically dependent on importations, 

 has large resources of coal, iron and stone and hence uses wood 

 probably, most economically, has increased its imports during the 

 last forty years at the rate of over 5% in the average (or com- 

 pounding at the rate of nearly 3%) while the population increased 

 by less than i % per annum. 



' These figurings are at simple interest on the basis of the figures at the 

 beginning of the period. If a compound interest calculation is made the in- 

 crease in consumption will be found at the rate of somewhat more than 5 

 per cent, in cost of materials, while the population increased at somewhat 

 less than 2^ per cent., making the annual per capita increase in consump- 

 tion nearly 3 per cent, compounding, in which allowance for increase in price 

 is to be made. 



