28 REDWOOD LUMBERING. 



very best, taken as it is from the butt end. The price 

 obtained for this class of lumber all things considered is 

 outrageously low. The value per foot board measure is 

 never above, but usually far below, that of sawed stuff of an 

 inferior quality of logs. Were consumers, particularly of 

 posts and ties, to carefully and intelligently investigate the 

 matter, they would find, from an economical standpoint, that 

 the split ties and posts are far in advance of material of the 

 same description sawed at mills. Premising that all now 

 appreciate the better lasting qualities of the butt logs of red- 

 wood, it is difficult to understand how it is that split lumber 

 is at a discount in our markets. Only one explanation seems 

 plausible, and that is, that people purchase something to sell 

 as soon as a profit is in sight. To sell, an exterior must be 

 taking to the eye; therefore, no attention is given to lasting 

 qualities. Sawed posts with sawed pickets have a trim, dressy 

 look, to which split timber of the same wood is not to be 

 compared to the eye. The difference in the matter of pick- 

 ets would scarcely be noticed in a life-time, for the reason 

 that they do not come in contact with the ground when prop- 

 erly placed in position. 



As for railroad ties, practical builders are by this time 

 thoroughly posted as to the superior quality of butt log ma- 

 terial for use. While upon the subject of railroad ties, we 

 may state that, with the exception of the yew and this is 

 not superior there is no timber o-i the American continent 

 that surpasses the redwood. This is now admitted on all 

 sides. Were no new roads to be constructed, the consump- 

 tion for renewals in the future for railways now in operation 



