Tune, 1942] University of New Hampshire 



operations, results have usually been reasonably satisfactory in the 

 spruce and fir types. In other instances the character of the growth 

 has made clear-cutting in these types impracticable. Although the 

 majority of the stands are even-aged, there may be a wide range in 

 diameter classes. When the cut has been limited to sizes of material 

 that can be removed economically, the residual stand per acre is often 

 sufficient to form the nucleus of a new crop. Where conditions were 

 not as favorable when cuttings were made, the areas have been taken 

 over by temporary species, to be followed much later by a more per- 

 manent type of growth. The result has been the lengthening of the 

 time between cuts of merchantable material from the same land. 

 Sometimes these transition species can be marketed but more often 

 they have no market value and can be used only for fuelwood, a use 

 to which they are not well suited. 



Repeated cuttings in the hardwood types have led to serious de- 

 pletion of growing stocks. The practice of taking only the best trees 

 has left residual stands of little commercial importance except to 

 meet the limited demand for fuelwood. It is becoming increasingly 

 difficult for local industry to secure, near at hand, the quality of hard- 

 v. ood essential to efficient manufacture. 



MARKETS FOR FOREST PRODUCTS 



The area has a number of outlets for its forest products. Several 

 pul]) and paper mills are located within trucking distance and others 

 can be reached by rail, provided prices are such that distance shipping- 

 is feasible. All of these plants normally use large quantities of soft- 

 wood either rough or peeled, and at least one purchases substantial 

 amounts of hardwood. Although many of these industries own sizable 

 acreages of timberland, they buy large amounts of wood from farmers 

 as well. 



Scattered through the region are sawmills which process both 

 soft and hardwood. One of these is owned cooperatively by a group 

 of farmers. It serves as an outlet for high grade products and does 

 custom sawing for home use. The lumber that is not used locally 

 finds its way into near-by eastern markets. High grade hardwood 

 loii's find a readv market at a near-bv furniture factorv. If of good 

 ([uality, they may be shipped considerable distances. 



Actual marketing is done both by direct contact with mills and 

 through a cooperative marketing organization set up recently to 

 handle farm forest products. This cooperative acts as a bargaining 

 agency, furnishes production credit to members at a nominal charge, 

 pays cash on delivery for all i)roducts at the contract price, and co- 

 operates with the New Hampshire Extension Service in assisting 

 members with forest management problems. 



There is a limited market for fuelwood within the area. Wood is 

 looked upon with favor by many local people, providing the price is 

 attractive in comparison with prices for other fuels. The expense of 

 ecjuipping for other fuels is also a factor in favor of using wood. One 



