CHAPTER X. 



UTILIZATION OF FOREST PRODUCTS. 



THE names "evergreen" and " conifers" are used interchange- 

 ably in common practice although some conifers, as the cypress 

 and tamarack, are not evergreen but deciduous. In the same 

 way the wood of the conifers is commonly called " softwood" 

 although longleaf pine wood is harder than that of poplar and 

 basswood. The term " hardwood'' as it is usually used refers to 

 the wood of the broad-leaved or deciduous species, and hence 

 includes with the maple, oak, hickory, etc., some woods such as 

 chestnut, willow, and poplar which are much softer. 



The factors which influence the value of lumber are size and 

 quality. Large, straight pine trees have been known to sell for 

 $100 apiece for derrick sticks because of their size. White pine 

 lumber is also valued because of its soft workable wood. Pine 

 planks free from knots and sawed from straight-grained old trees, 

 have been sold as high as $300 per thousand feet for pattern 

 stock. When these prices are compared with the price of ordi- 

 nary pine box boards, which are cut from second growth, 

 crooked, sap pine, $20 to $30 per M., it will be seen that there is 

 a great variation in value even for the same species. 



There is nothing which detracts from the value of lumber more 

 than the presence of knots, for they not only seriously interfere 

 with its strength, but with its use for many special purposes. 

 Lumber which is free from knots is called " clear." 



Lumber Grades. For the purpose of grading lumber for the 

 market the various lumber dealers' associations have established 

 uniform rules for grading so that a purchaser can know just what 

 quality of lumber he is buying for a certain price. 



The Maple Flooring Manufacturers' Association, 1 for example, 



1 Forest Service Bui. 71. Rules and Specifications for Grading of Lumber, 

 compiled by E. R. Hodson, 1906. 



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