but the demand has grown to such magnitude that the prevailing price 

 for the same grades of lumber range from $40 to $45 a thousand. 



When the first shipment of California pine went East to compete in 

 the Eastern markets with what was then termed by the trade "Chicago" 

 pine, it was a venture that was looked upon askance by all dealers in 

 lumber, but the venture was not a losing one, and it took but a little time 

 to convince Eastern contractors that California pine was equal to the 

 best in the market for all uses to which soft timber is applied. 



Michigan and Wisconsin pine, or as it was called because it came 

 from the big city by the lake, "Chicago" pine began to take a back seat 

 in the Middle West market and California pine, both white and sugar, 

 crept steadily forward until it encroached on the market in New York. 

 There, to-day, its sale goes steadily on alongside the best of lumber in that 

 market. Michigan pine of the best grade sells in the New York market 

 now at $80 a thousand while California pine, of the same grade brings 

 only $70. There are two reasons for this discrepancy in prices. There 

 are many contractors who hold to old fashioned ideas regarding lumber, 

 and because they were raised on Michigan lumber they cannot get over 

 the idea that it is the best in the market. This feeling in favor of Michigan 

 and Wisconsin lumber causes more of a demand for that class. The second 

 reason lies in the fact that Michigan lumber can be laid down in New York 

 within a week after the order is placed. California lumber cannot be got 

 across the continent under six weeks, and this necessitates a longer outlay 

 of capital and a long delay after the orders are placed. In getting the 

 California product it is necessary for contractors to look far ahead and 

 place their orders long before they need the lumber. 



California pine is especially adapted to use in fine interior work and 

 pattern stock, and is becoming more and more in vogue every day. In 

 store fittings, where a delicacy of finish is required, and in interior ship 

 work where a fine appearance must be maintained white pine and sugar 

 pine are especially fitted. First grade stock is used in all such work. Pat- 

 tern stock requires an especially fine grade of lumber for foundries must 

 have accuracy and permanency as well as softness. In the cabin and other 

 interior work on ships and steamboats, pine is especially adapted on ac- 

 count of the fact that for sanitary reasons there must be frequent painting, 

 and pine holds the paint much better than any other wood. 



The sash and door factories of the country take the intermediate 

 grade of pine, and most of this is shipped East on account of the fact that 

 there are few factories in California. The big factory at Oakland is about 

 the only one of importance in the State. There is a big future to this indus- 

 try on the Pacific Coast. 



There is to-day probably no more profitable field for the investment 

 of capital in California that will bring the best and surest returns, than 

 that of the manufacturing of lumber. There is not one in the State that 

 is not running to its full capacity all the time to supply the demand which 

 increases every day. 



While the whole world is the market for California lumber and its prod- 

 ucts, the output of pine from this State is so thoroughly demanded by the 

 necessities of American builders that but an infinitesimal proportion of the 

 whole is sent abroad. Probably 4,000,000 feet go annually to Australia, 

 1,000,000 feet to Europe, and about as much to all the other foreign coun- 

 tries while the Eastern and Middle States take the bulk of the higher grades 

 that come from the California mountain side. 



The transportation of this amount of lumber is simplified owing to 

 the fact that nearly all of it is sent to United States points. This is 

 shipped by rail entirely. The lumber going to Europe is sent by rail to 

 Galveston, Tex., and there loaded on steamers which carry it across the 

 Atlantic. The Australian shipment is loaded on ships at San Francisco 

 and Oakland and sent direct to its destination in the antipodes. 



Very little of the lower grades of pine lumber is shipped from Califor- 

 nia. This is utilized largely in the making of boxes. Some of the box 

 shooks are now being shipped to the Eastern market, but this has not yet 

 reached the proportions of the trade in higher grade lumber itself. 



