28 AMERICAN LUMBER IN FOREIGN MARKETS. 



GUATEMALA. 



NATIVE WOODS. 



The principal woods of this country are red cedar, mahogany, cypress, 

 and a pine used for framing purposes, somewhat similar to the Oregon 

 pine, but vastly inferior. 



KINDS OF LUMBER USED. 



The principal woods imported are California redwood, for finishing 

 purposes, and Oregon pine, for framing and flooring. 



IMPORTS OF LUMBER. 



There is no lumber imported from any other country except the 

 United States, the amount of lumber from there being over 2,500,000 

 feet per annum. 



DUTIES AND PRICES. 



There is no import duty on lumber. 



The prices of lumber vary from $90 to $120 (Guatemala silver*) per 

 1,000 feet at the present time, according to the rates of freight, which 

 fluctuate more or less on account of competition. 



CLIMATE. 



The climate of Guatemala is as a rule salubrious. It is very warm 

 upon the coast, but becomes much cooler in proportion to the altitude, 

 and on the table lands of the city of Guatemala the climate may be 

 described as being very even. 



GENERAL BUILDING. 



As regards shipbuilding, there is none. There is some railroad build- 

 ing going on in the Republic, a line being in course of construction 

 from Puerto Barrios, on the gulf side, to the city of Guatemala. 



EXTENSION OF LUMBER TRADE. 



Referring to the methods to be pursued to extend the lumber trade 

 of the United States with this Republic, I desire to state that the very 

 high rate of exchange, high freights, exorbitant port charges in the 

 shape of landing and pier charges, customs duties, etc., are very much 

 against any increase of this trade. 



D. LYNCH PRINGLE, 



Consul- General. 

 GUATEMALA, January 4, 1894. 



* The Guatemala dollar (peso) was valued at 51.6 cents by the U. S. Treasury on 

 January 1, 1894. 



