REVIEWS 569 



dimensions of lumber is calculated with scientific exactness. Particular 

 attention is given to edging the lumber so as to obtain the largest pos- 

 sible sizes, because the price of lumber is determined by the size rather 

 than by the thickness. The lumber is not trimmed in the mill. It is cut 

 to almost any dimension, according to English measurement. Metric 

 measurements are seldom used in lumber for export. The lumber is 

 edged on the half inch and in thickness is cut to almost any size, but 

 usually on the quarter inch. 



The actual waste in the Swedish sawmills is negligible. Even the 

 smallest piece of lumber is turned to some use. If too small to produce 

 laths, broom handles, box shooks, etc., it is converted into charcoal or 

 pulp. The sawmills are generally run in connection with pulp fac- 

 tories, and many mills also operate planing mills or box factories. The 

 planing mills are equipped with Swedish planers, which show some 

 excellent features in the way of saving material and perfectly smooth 

 products. The operation of Swedish box factories, planing mills and 

 sawmills is based on a skillful utilization of the raw material. The 

 profit often hinges on the thickness of the saw blades used. 



Swedish mills season their lumber in the open air and it is never 

 shipped unless air dry. This seasoning requires from two to seven 

 months, depending upon the season and the location. The lumber is 

 trimmed before shipment. The trimming is effected on the odd and 

 even foot. The mill ends are carefully collected and retrimmed. Then 

 it is sold to local box factories or exported. Lately the Swedish lumber 

 merchants have combined in selling for export. The Swedish laws 

 permit combinations of manufacturers for these purposes. The Swedish 

 lumber men have taken advantage of this condition and have been in 

 a position to obtain such prices as would give them a reasonable return 

 on the investment. The prices of lumber have increased very materi- 

 ally since the war, as have the prices of stumpage and labor. The 

 position of the Swedish lumberland is now considered exceptionally 

 good because the war and the high prices have enabled them to better 

 their condition. The export is two billion feet annually. 



The report brings out three principal phases of interest to American 

 readers. First, the measures taken to preserve the forests and eliminate 

 waste in lumber; second, the inferior character of Swedish lumber; 

 third, that by combination of all Swedish lumbermen in the export 

 trade and superior selling methods, they manage to market their inferior 

 lumber for the same price as the greatly superior American lumber. 



