93 



of stunipage plus labor cost was $2.94 per cord, or the equivalent of 

 $3.67^ per ton of coal, a saving of 45 per cent over coal-prices, which 

 indicates that wood obtained from the wood-lot or neighbors at $3.94 

 a cord gives 79.6 per cent greater fuel-value for species with .8 tons 

 fuel value per cord than coal at $6.60 per ton. The relative amounts 

 spent on fuel at these values, and assuming all wood as purchased, are 

 as follows : 



Coal-iurners 



Coal 9.8 tons at $G.60 $64.68 



Coalatid-wood turners 



Coal 7.66 tons at $6.60 $50.56 



"Wood 13.4 cord at $2.94 $39.40 $89.96 



Wood-humers 



Wood 21.4 cords at $2.94 $62.92 



Considering the fact that labor by the farmer, his family, or hired 

 help is in 90 per cent of all cases expended in place of money, the cash 

 outlay of those who burn both coal and wood is probably less than for 

 coal-burners, while those burning wood exclusively expend considerably 

 less cash. Where labor is used in winter months which would other- 

 wise be laid oflf, it helps to solve the problem of steady employment, and 

 still further increases the advantage of the use of wood for fuel. 



The drawbacks to the use of wood for fuel lie in the labor re- 

 quired for its handling, and, in regions where labor is scarce, coal may 

 be used for this reason. Wood, being more bulky than coal, will not 

 stand transportation by either wagon or railroad over long distances in 

 competition with coal, hence for any but local consumption on short 

 hauls, wood loses the economic advantage which it bids fair always to 

 retain for home use on farms. 



The sale of cordwood at luxury prices in large cities is of less im- 

 portance in the general economy of the state, though it is freciuently 

 a source of profit to land-owners who happen to be favorably situated. 

 Otherwise, most of the profit from such sales is absorbed by transporta- 

 tion, and by local wood dealers*. 



Sources of Supply of Woods for Illinois Consumers 



Sawed lumber is not only the most important and valuable of the 

 forms of wood consumed in Illinois, but it is the class of which the 

 greatest per cent is imported, and from the farthest points. But 2.4 per 



• For flsures Indicating total consumption of cordwood In Illinois for the years 

 1917, 1919-1921 Inclusive, see Appendix, Note 7. 



