AMERICAN LUMBER IN FOREIGN MARKETS. 211 



Boards. Boards of prime quality and cut to special sizes are getting 

 more in favor here, and an increasing business has been done at what 

 are stated to be fairly remunerative prices. 



Oak. The importation of logs has been large, chiefly from New 

 Orleans and Mobile. Some of it was of fine quality, but the bulk is 

 stated to be of medium to common quality, and therefore claimed by 

 the dealers as difficult to sell, with the result that much of it had to be 

 stored in the yard. Where sales were effected, very low prices were 

 obtained. The stock is heavy. 



Planlcs. The importation of planks was heavy, and consisted largely 

 of " wagon scantling," the business in which has increased very con- 

 siderably of late years; but the demand has been languid, although the 

 prices for prime quality and good specifications have been fairly main- 

 tained. Common quality was difficult to handle, and the prices ruled 

 low. The opinion here is that the manufacture generally has improved ; 

 but the people in the trade suggest that more care should be taken in 

 shipping prime parcels free from culls. The present stocks of planks, 

 including a large proportion stored in outside depots, amount to about 

 400,000 cubic feet, which is considered much too heavy. 



Boards. During the year boards arrived freely. When of good 

 quality and cut on the quarter, they met with fair sales. Other descrip- 

 tions than this are not wanted. 



Wainscot billets. These have ceased to be imported. 



Satinwood. The import was moderate, chiefly from Mobile and New 

 Orleans. It did not, however, meet with ready sale, and the prices 

 were very low. 



Whitewood. The importations of whitewood were larger than the 

 previous year. Logs and planks of really good quality sold freely at 

 fair prices, but at the close of the year logs declined in value. An 

 increasing business was also done in boards, principally of the best 

 quality, which are most in demand here. Stocks held over are moderate. 



Hickory. Several parcels were brought over, which, when in the 

 round log with the bark on and fresh, commanded what is claimed to 

 be fair prices, viz, from 36 cents to 60 cents per foot. 



Ash. This wood was imported more freely, and found fair sale at from 

 30 to 48 cents per foot. Only the fresh wood of good size and color is 

 in demand here at all. 



Cherry wood. The importation has been very limited, and realized 

 about 66 cents per foot. Consumers like this wood, and if regular 

 supplies could be depended on, it would find greater favor with them. 



Staves. The total import of all descriptions from the United States 

 has been 3,182 mille, against 3, 169 mille during 1892. There has been a 

 demand throughout the year for New Orleans wine pipe, hogshead, and 

 barrel staves, and stocks on hand are more moderate. The W. O. W. L 

 were freely imported from Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, especially 

 towards the close of the year, the consequence being that stocks have 



