THE OUTLOOK OF THE WORLD'S TIMBER SUPPLY. 379 



As regards the United States, it should be stated that a portion 

 of the pulp-wood comes from Canada, but over and above this the 

 quantity derived from the State forests must be very great. For 

 Maine alone the quantity is given as equal to 750,000 tons. I 

 do not think that I shall be far out if I place the total annual 

 consumption of pulp -wood at some 7,000,000 to 8,000,000 

 tons. 



In summing up now, I may say that I tried to give an un- 

 coloured view of the whole question. Of hardwoods I may 

 safely say that we have as yet a large supply. If present sources 

 of supply should fail, others, such as Central and South America 

 and Africa, may be opened out. The rate per ton may rise, but 

 the material will be forthcoming. It is altogether different as 

 regards coniferous woods, the requirements of which amount to 

 not less than 85 per cent, of the total. The only countries 

 whenee a further increase in the demand for these woods can 

 be met are Sweden, Russia, especially Finland, and Canada. 

 As pointed out, Austria and the United States must cease to be 

 exporting countries within a limited number of years. Sweden is 

 likely to yield somewhat more in future, but the amount of the 

 possible annual increase is not likely to be more than 1,000,000 

 or 1,500,000 tons. Great uncertainty exists as regards Russia. 

 If her population increases, as statisticians have lately calculated, 

 even her export of timber may cease, or at any rate be consider- 

 ably reduced. Under these circumstances, the great stand-by for 

 coniferous timber will be Canada, if the Government does not lose 

 time in introducing a rational management of her forests. 



The second part of my paper will be short. In it I propose to 

 draw attention to a few lessons which may be learned from what 

 I have said, as regards the British Empire as a whole, and these 

 islands in particular. The following Table shows the average 

 annual net imports and exports of the principal parts of the 

 Empire : — 



