June, 1942J University of New Hampshire 11 



not suited to the needs of the farm. Income from the sale, however, 

 would have to be used to purchase fuel, lumber or both. The net 

 result would be the same as though all products were home grown. 



An examination of the data indicates another 9 percent who, be- 

 cause of the condition of the growing stock, may be grouped with the 

 above for the present. The lack of merchantable timber on their hold- 

 ings will make the realization of immediate income impossible. Proper 

 care of their woodlands and time can remedy the situation where 

 acreage is sufficient. 



MERCHANTABLE TIMBER 



The volume of merchantable timber in the three towns was es- 

 timated in terms of cords and board foot equivalent for all species 

 except northern white cedar and tamarack. The latter species are 

 adapted to limited use and were estimated as poles, fence posts, and 

 highway guard posts. Approximately 60 percent of the total volume, 

 exclusive of cedar and tamarack, is spruce and fir, with fir the pre- 

 dominant species. The remaining 40 percent is largely yellow birch 

 and sugar maple with significant stands of white birch and aspen. 

 Other species of minor importance are white ash. red oak. beech, hem- 

 lock, basswood, red maple, and black cherry. In addition to the above 

 industrial wood, there is a large supply of material suitable for fuel- 

 wood. 



The summary figures, representing the total woodland acreage 

 and the volume of merchantable timber on small tracts as compiled 

 by the United States Forest Service, plus the estimated totals for cor-' 

 porate holdings, are presented in Table 2 .Volumes are shown either 

 as cords, board feet, or piece, depending upon the form in which the 

 species are usually marketed. 



It is evident from the data that the woodlands of Columbia and 

 Stewartstown are generally in better condition than those of Cole- 

 brook. The acreage in small privately owned tracts is practically the 

 same in all three towns, but the volume of timber in Colebrook is less 

 than half that found in either of the other two towns. This is probably 

 due to a number of factors, one of the most important being accessi- 

 bility with respect to good roads and markets. Possibly the type of 

 ownership and the opportunity for farm income has also contributed 

 to this condition. Farmers might find it profitable to sell even at low 

 prices provided they did the work themselves, whereas other owners 

 not in a position to do the work would have to wait for a better mar- 

 ket. Since the forest survey was completed, a more active market has 

 started liquidation of some of the better holdings, especially in Stew- 

 artstown where the tax rate is highest. 



