TIMBER VALUATION 57 



sample area in the form of a strip rather than in isolated plots 

 because a better average is obtained. The smallest size tree 

 which can be cupped is six inches dbh., but it is far better practice 

 to bleed no trees less than lo inches. For boxes the tree must be 

 at least 1 2 inches dbh. because boxing naturally injures the tree 

 more and it must therefore be sturdier to stand up. With both 

 cupping and boxing only one face is possible on trees of the 

 minimum diameters. Those between 18 and 24 inches will stand 

 two faces. Larger trees will stand three or even four faces but 

 care must be taken not to girdle the tree or weaken it so much 

 that it will break oflF easily. In virgin timber the number of 

 cups or boxes varies from 35 to 50 pei acre with an average of 40. 

 Ten thousand five hundred boxes or cups make up a " crop " 

 which includes an area of 200 to 250 acres in virgin timber. 

 Where the timber has been boxed, areas of 500 to 1600 acres are 

 necessary to yield the requisite number of cups for a crop. 



For the impKjrtant ^)ecies in this type no separate stimipage 

 prices are available. The figures given below are for " southern 

 pine": — 



PerM 



1880 $0.05 



1890 0.30 



1900 0.75 



1910 3 .00 



1920 5.00 



These are, of course, merely averages and do not indicate the 

 possible ranges. Generally speaking pine stumpage is more val- 

 uable in the north than in the south. Accordingly one may 

 expect to have to pay twice as much for the same grade of timber 

 in North Carolina as in Texas. This is, of course, merely a reflec- 

 tion of the difference in freight rates and the length of haul to 

 the mill. 



As far as uses are concerned there is little difference between the 

 different parts of the pine belt. Dimension — house frames, 

 bridge timbers and railway ties — and rough construction liun- 

 ber take the bulk of the annual cut. Only the clearest and best 

 goes into flooring and finishing lumber. Between species little 

 distinction is made ordinarily, longleaf, slash, shortleaf and lob- 



