132 DOUGLAS FIR 



at 12.9 cents per M. In 1907, 59 cents per M was offered for the 

 entire tract. A great deal of the timberland of the Pacific North- 

 west has been alienated from the pubHc domain under the general 

 land laws. Some of the timber in select areas has thus been sold 

 by the United States at less than four cents per M feet. Similar 

 conditions have largely prevailed in Oregon which now has a 

 greater supply of merchantable timber than has any other state. 

 Because of the extremely low original prices, a very large relative 

 increase in stumpage prices in the Pacific Northwest does not 

 necessarily imply a great absolute rise." 



No figures for an extended period exist for the subordinate 

 species in the type such as hemlock, balsam, cedar, etc., for the 

 reason that they have only recently become merchantable at all. 

 They are now, however, being cut more and more and command 

 an average stumpage value of not more than $1.50 per M in this 

 type. 



As far as use value is concerned Douglas fir easily leads all its 

 associated species. In fact it ranks second in the lumber cut of 

 the United States and the amount produced annually is only 

 exceeded by the cornbination of three southeastern species usu- 

 ally grouped together under the name of yellow pine. This fact 

 alone is enough to show that it is strong, easily worked wood in 

 demand for general construction purposes, for a wood must 

 answer these requirements to stand high in the annual lumber cut. 

 In comparison with white pine it is harder but stronger, while 

 the better grades of yellow pine exceed it slightly in strength and 

 durability. It is consequently eagerly sought for such a wide 

 variety of uses as railroad bridges, ties, boat building, flooring 

 and interior finish. In 19 10 the main uses to which the lumber 

 was put were as foUows: 



Per cent 



Mill work •. 87 



Tanks and silos 4 



Car construction 4 



Boats 2 



Pumps and wood pipe i 



Other uses 2 



zoo 



