81 



There are but two factors working against this prospective increase 

 in value to the owner. One is the possibiHty of substituting other ma- 

 terial for wood in the mines, the other, which is a corollary of the first, 

 is the disruption of the business of furnishing mine timbers from a given 

 region because of the extreme scarcity of wood. In either case the 

 tendency of mine operators is to seek a dependable supply, whether of 

 wood or substitutes, that can readily be secured in the needed quantities. 

 For such guarantee of supply, and because of the cheapened cost of 

 business and of handling, larger prices can be paid than for odd lots, 

 insufficient .in quantity, irregular in delivery, and perhaps of variable 

 quality. It follows that local mine-timbers have a great economic 

 advantage over shipments from greater distances, but that to fully se- 

 cure these advantages, these timbers nuist show eqvially good quality 

 and, still more important, be produced in quantity sufficient to supply a 

 large percentage of the requirements of the mines. The kinds of wood 

 used in the mines include nearly all classes of local timber. For legs 

 and bars, where strength is required, white oak is sought. For props, 

 mixed species are used, the only requirements being soundness or unim- 

 paired strength. This undiscriminating market is a great advantage in 

 the utilization of mixed stands. 



Most of the mine timliers imported, come at present from the Ozark 

 region of Missouri where large tracts of small white and post oaks are 

 being exploited for this purpose. It is significant that in spite of these 

 rather extensive timber tracts in a contiguous state, the mines of Illi- 

 nois still draw more than 60 per cent of their timber supply from the 

 second growth and cut-over areas near at hand, and they will continue 

 to do so as long as these timbers can be obtained at prices comparable 

 with those of importations. 



In no other industry does the intimate relation between forestry 

 and close utilization of wood appear so strikingly as in coal-mining. No 

 enterprise is more dependent on wood for its operations, and none except 

 the paper industry uses sizes which can be so rapidly, abundantly, and 

 cheaply produced. Yet in spite of these favorable circumstances, it is 

 generally admitted that wherever extensive mining is conducted, the 

 wood required for these operations is becoming increasingly scarce and 

 difficult to obtain. The cure for this situation lies in fire protection and 

 the growing of crops of timber on an extensive scale. Coal-mining will 

 be the first industry to feel the beneficial efTect of such practice. 



