MARYLAND GEOLOGICAL SUKTET 195 



for their white oak ties, deiienJing ujjon the grade of tie. Chestnut ties 

 range from 45 to 55 cents, delivered at the railroad. Two classes or 

 grades of ties are distinguished by contractors and railroad comjianies. 

 The first class includes ties which have a face of 8 inches or over and 

 are free from all defects, such as knots and checks. Second class ties 

 may have some knots and a face of not less than 7 inches. All oak ties 

 must be hewn. Chestnut ties are cut largely from old mature trees, 

 and are cut into their recjuired dimensions in the sawmill. 



Contractors hire choppers who cut ties at the rate of 10 cents for 

 the best grade and 8 cents for the second grade. 



PuLPWOOD. — Yellow poplar and scrub pine are cut extensively for the 

 manufacture of wood pulp. Tlie latter is used in excess of the former 

 solely because it is more abundant in the countj'. Experienced dealers 

 in the county estimate that about four tliousand cords of pulpwood are 

 shipped annually out of the county. About one-fifth of this amount is 

 yellow poplar. 



Scrub pine, being much more abundant, is the staple timber for this 

 purpose, and consumers of pulpwood have no difficulty in buying large 

 tracts of it at very low prices. Stumpage prices of pine vary according 

 to the distance from railroad or wharf, and also according to the age 

 and density of stand. The dift'erent items making up the price per cord 

 of scrub 23ine for pulpwood vary as follows : 



Stumpage $ .20 to $ .25 



Cutting 1,25 " 1.40 



Hauling 1.30 " 1.50 



Total $2.75 " $3.15 



The scrub pine is cut during the spring and summer seasons when 

 the bark can be taken off most easily. All trees above 4 inches in 

 diameter a foot above the ground are cut into 5-foot lengths. A saw is 

 used so as to insure uniform lengths and facilitates in loading on cars 

 or boats. Scrub pine has only lately come into favor for pulpwood, and 

 it is believed that the demand for this species will increase. Loblolly 

 pine is not cut for pulpwood. 



