6 THE ADIRONDACK BLACK SPRUCE. 



10,000 pounds to the square inch. It weighs about 28 pounds to 

 the cubic foot, and when perfectly dry, 25 pounds. Spruce pulp- 

 wood cut on high land, partly seasoned, will weigh about 3,800 

 pounds per cord ; that cut on low or swampy land about 4,200 

 pounds. 



It" is the leading merchantable species of the New York 

 forests, the white pine having, substantially, been removed many 

 years ago. In 1893 the total product of all the mills which ob- 

 tained their stock of logs from the Adirondack forests was as 

 follows : 



Feet. 



Spruce 241,581,824 



Hemlock 77,910,654 



Pine -27,844,222 



Hardwood 7,713,828 



Total 355,050,528 



The production was still greater in 1892, owing to the low 

 water during the previous year ; but the figures given here for 

 1893 will fairly represent the average annual product of this 

 region. In addition to the 241,581,824 feet of spruce sawed in 

 1893, the pulp mills consumed in that year 92,135,707 feet, B. M., 

 all of which was used in the manufacture of paper. 



Spruce lumber is used for various purposes, but principally for 

 house building, a large amount of it being made into flooring and 

 ceiling, for which use it takes the place largely of white pine. A 

 large share of the product is also sawed into joists, scantling, 

 square timber and dimension stuff. In market value it is cheaper 

 than white pine, but dearer than hemlock. The value of the 

 logs in the tree, or " stumpage," is about 35 cents per market 

 log, or $1.75 per 3,000 feet, the price varying somewhat more or 

 less in proportion as the timber is accessible or within hauling 

 distance of streams which will permit the floating or " driving " 

 of logs to the mills. The value of the logs when delivered on 

 the banks of these streams is about $1.30 per market, or $6.50 

 per 1,000 feet. The bark has no commercial value. It is peeled 

 from standing trees, occasionally by woodmen, guides or sports- 

 men, who use it for covering the roof or sides of their shanties. 



