AMERICAN LUMBER IN FOREIGN MARKETS. 



239 



LUMBER IN QUEBEC. 



Consul Philip B. Spence, of Quebec, under date of January 8, trans- 

 mits a circular prepared by J. Bell Forsyth & Co., showing the supply, 

 export, and stock of timber and deals at that port in 1891, from which 

 the following extracts are given. The figures cover up to December 1. 





The circular says : 



We note with regret a continued decrease in the business of the port. The grow- 

 ing scarcity of some descriptions of timber and the advanced cost of others have 

 reduced the supply on the one hand and limited the export by diminishing the con- 

 sumption on the other. 



The concession of the use of steam in taking on board timber/ obtained by the 

 shipping merchants from the ship laborers, in connection with steamers, has resulted 

 in the transfer of an increased proportion of the export carrying trade from sail to 

 steam, and has to some considerable extent checked the tendency to send timber 

 from Montreal by steamer in preference to shipping from Quebec. 



The market this season for South American lumber has been fairly active, both 

 direct from the Province of Quebec and via Portland, Boston, and other North 

 American ports. From the ports of the maritime provinces the spruce trade to the 

 Argentine Republic has been unusually active, and from Montreal heavy shipments 

 of pine to same destination were made near close of season. Prices range as follows : 

 Spruce, $11 to $13.50 per 1,000 feet, B. M., according to specification; pine, $17. 50 per 

 1,000 feet, B. M., for common to $50 for clear. 



Owing to the depression in the United States, the lumber market there has not 

 been as good as expected, still all good lots of spruce suitable for that market have 

 realized about the same price as in 1893, and manufacturers expect an increase of at 

 least $1 per M. for the 1895 cut. 



Freights opened at about 16s. Clyde and 18s. Liverpool for sail from Quebec, and 

 at 40s. for deals by steam from Montreal. Timber rates remained without any 

 change till advanced insurance toward end of season prevented timber shipments 

 except by steam, for which the rates ruled from 62s. to 70s. per Petersburg standard 

 intake, according to port of discharge. Steam freights from Montreal were greatly 

 depressed during the greater part of the season, and for some time rates previously 

 unheard of, such as 30s. for Glasgow, Avonmouth, and Liverpool, with 35s. for Lon- 

 don, were current, closing at some advance, especially for Liverpool. 



PHILIP B. SPENCE, Consul. 

 QUEBEC, January 8, 



