724 JOURNAL OF FORESTRY 



uniform rate in a straight line, but it is sufficiently accurate for all 

 practical purposes in appraisals. 



Certain classes of small tools have a very short life. Axes will last 

 from 60 to 100 days; saws will do satisfactory work for 120 to 150 

 days, and wedges last from 30 to 50 days. These items are given to 

 illustrate how depreciation is reckoned in appraisals. 



Actual figures on a sleigh-haul job, all horse skidding, covering a 

 period of four years and involving more than 60 million feet board 

 measure show a depreciation on small tools only of .03 cent per day 

 per man, which includes breakage of axe handles, cant-hook stocks, etc. 

 The total depreciation on all equipment amounts to 40 cents per thou- 

 sand feet board measure. 



The depreciation for sleigh haul, flume and chute chances varies 

 from 30 cents to 50 cents per thousand when the overturn method is 

 used ; but when the investment method is used, such structures, as per- 

 manent camps, flumes, and main roads are figured as a fixed investment 

 and are wiped out by a depreciation charge instead of an improvement 

 charge. This method greatly increases the depreciation per thousand 

 feet board measure, but lowers the improvement cost. 



It will be noted that no scaling charge was provided for in the out- 

 line already given. This cost was left out for the reason that practi- 

 cally all operators in this region accept the Government scale. Most 

 companies have a check scaler, but this cost is taken care of under the 

 heading, "Administration and general expense." 



Sufficient data have been given concerning appraisals and the two 

 methods which are used to make it clear how the work is done without 

 going into full details for the entire operation. There is still much 

 room for progress, development, and improvement in appraisal work. 

 Probably the two most important features in connection with appraisals 

 are the quality of the timber, which determines the value of the finished 

 product, and the percentage of overrun. 



Table i. — Mill-run Selling Prices of Lumber for 1913, 1914, 1915, and 1916 



1913 1914 1915 1916 



Idaho white pine $18.76 $18.50 '$18.69 $20.05 



Western pine 17.52 14.99 13.70 16.40 



Douglas fir and larch 12.72 10.43 8.83 12.27 



Engelmann spruce 11.50 10.25 11.39 M'^S 



White fir 13.08 11.78 11.59 14.04 



Cedar 12.66 11.55 10.72 12.05 



