54 College of Forestry 



$1 per cord is customary at most of the plants. However, the 

 usual charge is likely to be nearer $1 than the lower figure. 



The life of the copper apparatus is about 10 to 12 years 

 and there is considerable salvage on old copper. 



Cost of Operation. 



The cost of operation depends on a large number of factors, 

 the chief of which are the charges for wood, fuel and labor. 

 Transportation charges for material such as fuel, supplies, 

 etc., are also an important consideration. 



It is very difficult to say what the average costs of operation 

 should l)e. They are usually figured or based on the charges 

 per cord. At the various plants, the method of cost computa- 

 tion varies considerably so that it is very difficult to compare 

 one with another. The degree of efficiency also varies con- 

 siderably as it is very difficult in this respect to compare* 

 them. At an oven retort that has been run for some time 

 in Delaware county, the costs per cord were figured as 

 follows : 



Wood $4.00 



Labor 1.50 



Fuel.. 1.77 



Lime 19 



Supplies, oils, etc .32 



General expenses .51 



Depreciation .58 



Insurance .08 



Taxes .22 



Total $9.17 



The above computation was based on a month's run and a 

 very careful record was kept of all costs. There were IG 

 men employed at this factory, not including the men engaged 



