FOREST POLICY. 37 



density of stand ; 



skidding distances ; 



roughness and configuration of logging grounds. 



It appears that identical trees might show, in the same section 

 of country, very large differences of stumpage values, depending 

 on the three local factors just given. 



ad 2. The percentage of lumber grades is dependent, to a large 

 extent, on the diameter of the logs, the larger logs yielding ^ 

 higher percentage of the upper grades than the smaller logs. 

 It further depends on the straightness of the logs and on the 

 defectiveness of the logs; also on the skill of sawyers, edgermen, 

 and trimmermen ; and, last but not least, on the rules of in- 

 spection governing each given timber species. 



Trees, the logs of which yield a high percentage of firsts and 

 seconds, or of upper grades, are trees of relatively high stump- 

 age value. 



Trees, the logs of which yield a large percentage of lower 

 grades (cull, mill-cull, and scoots) are trees of a low stumpage 

 value. Here, the expense incurred for the transportation of the 

 logs is relatively high, owing to the large amount of offal in the 

 case of poor logs. The expense of milling is relatively high, in 

 the case of poor logs, owing to the larger amount of handling 

 which such logs and the lumber obtained from them require in 

 the mill. The stumpage value of trees yielding a large percentage 

 of poor lumber is apt to be negative, which means to say: such 

 trees had best be left in the woods. 



D. CONCLUSIONS. 



1. The practising forester finds in forestry more of a problem 

 of transportation than of sylviculture and of milling. In America, 

 the largest item in the cost of forestal production is the expense 

 of forestal transportation. 



2. Ear from the market, a tree fit for lumbering must be a 

 fine tree, yielding a small percentage of low-grade lumber. 



3. The value of the trees must be condensed or concentrated 

 into a minimum of weight at a mill situated in close proximity 

 to the forest, particularly if the stumpage value of the trees is 

 small. The wasting of top logs, stumps, slabs, edgings and 

 trimmings is advisable where wasting pays better than saving. 



