220 AMERICAN LUMBER IN FOREIGN MARKETS. 



One of the largest lumber dealers at Shanghai furnishes the following 

 statement of sales of pine lumber made by the principal lumber firms 

 for the years 1893-1896: 



Square feet. 



1893 6,000,000 



1894 6,000,000 



1895 12,000,000 



1896 14,000,000 



The customs returns for 1896 are not yet published, but it is estimated 

 that between 20,000,000 and 30,000,000 square feet of timber were im- 

 ported during the year just closed and that there were about 11,000,000 

 square feet on hand. As stated, the greater quantity of the lumber 

 comes from the United States, and the quantity imported amounted in 

 1896 to 14,000,000 square feet and in 1895 to 9,149,789 square feet. In 

 this connection, these important facts may be noticed : The mills for 

 whose construction the greater quantity of the lumber was imported 

 are now completed, no extensive building operations are planned for 

 1897, and the figures given above show the market fairly supplied for 

 ordinary demands. Dealers express the opinion that on this account 

 the imports for 1897 will be small, but nevertheless the lumber market 

 of China will rule favorable for American lumber, and with the more 

 extensive introduction of western machinery and the consequent need 

 for proper buildings the demand will steadily increase. The opening 

 of China by railroads and the spread of western civilization will make 

 more substantial and comfortable houses a desideratum, and the con- 

 struction of such will require the use of foreign timber. Houses of 

 foreign style have already become so popular with the natives at Shang- 

 hai that Europeans who are called here in the discharge of their duties 

 find it difficult to secure houses for their families, and rents have, since 

 1894, advanced about 20 per cent. Much building is now being done 

 to meet this need, and if the demand for the current year should not 

 be so large as formerly, I should advise a careful study of the lumber 

 market. 



I. B. JERNIGAN, 



Consul- General. 



SHANGHAI, December .9, 1896. 



AMERICAN LUMBER IN DENMARK. 



The conditions in Denmark seem so favorable to American lumber- 

 men that I deem it best to say a few words on the subject. In the first 

 place, the local supply is wholly inadequate to the demand, and Den- 

 mark depends on outside sources for her timber. In fact, it is the effort 

 both of the Government and landed proprietors to cultivate and not 

 cut down the forests. 



