THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST 89 



increase. This increase in demand, coupled with the rapidly 

 diminishing supply in the East, seems certain to create a 

 condition under which it will be profitable to grow hard- 

 woods commercia.lly. 



That eastern species will thrive under forest conditions in 

 this region has not, of course, been demonstrated, but the 

 great variety of species planted successfully as shade trees in 

 towns and cities, and in many instances by settlers in the 

 mountains -and farming districts, together with the marked 

 success of various fruits introduced here, would tend to indi- 

 cate their adaptability to the climate. In many respects the 

 climate along the coast of Oregon and Washington is similar 

 to that found throughout the great hardwood region of the 

 Southern Appalachian mountains. 



Of the many species occurring in the East, several appear 

 preeminently suited to experimentation because of their par- 

 ticular value in the trade and rapid growth. Hickory is one 

 of the most valuable of eastern woods, and the supply remain- 

 ing is probably least of all the important species. It is largely 

 used in the vehicle industry, and because of the fact that the 

 trade can use trees of small size, and even prefers "second 

 growth" hickory to the more mature form, a crop can be 

 grown within a comparatively short time. Shagbark or pig- 

 nut are probably the best species to plant. Red oak is an- 

 other species for which there is a large demand, and while 

 it does not equal the white oak in value, its more rapid growth 

 makes it a more desirable species to grow. The increasing 

 scarcity of white oak has brought about the substitution of 

 red oak for many purposes for which the more superior va- 

 riety was formerly used exclusively. Black walnut is a wood 

 highly prized in furniture manufacture, and this, coupled 

 with its rapid growth, places it among the first rank of hard- 

 wood trees. Chestnut, white ash, tulip, poplar and black 

 cherry are other species whose value for various purposes sug- 

 gests the possible advisability of their introduction. 



Much that has been said in the chapter concerning the 

 methods of establishing coniferous woods applies equally well 



