The Marketing of Farm Woodland Products 



In Carroll County, New Hampshire 

 By Alan MacLeod and John Chandler 



Introduction 



'THROUGHOUT New Hampshire, farm woodlands supply an important 

 •'', part of farm income. Consequently, any methods by which revenue 

 from forest products can be increased should be of value to farmers in all 

 sections of the state. 



While this study is confined to a section of Carroll county, its findings 

 are applicable to many other parts of northern New England. The ap- 

 proach is economic. Production is compared with consumption. Con- 

 clusions are expressed in economic terms and should point the way by 

 v.hicli marketing efficiency can be increased with benefit to all who have 

 forest products to sell. 



The Problem 



Customary methods of marketing farm forest products have often been 

 criticized as inefficient and expensive. Instances are cited of such exces- 

 sive handling that little of the sales price is left for the producer. 



To learn the facts regarding efficiency in marketing it is necessary to 

 investigate transportation facilities and charges to present market out- 

 lets and to determine whether these outlets, if supplied efficiently, could 

 make most economical use of forest products, or whether opportunity for 

 other outlets exists. It is also necessary to investigate opportunities for 

 cooperative action, both in production and marketing. 



These problems are made more difficult because research in forest eco- 

 nomics has been limited. Commenting upon the situation in 1936, the 

 Social Science Research Council said: "Considering the important place 

 that forest land, forest materials, and forest industries occupy in our na- 

 tional economy, and considering also the diversity and complexity of the 



