428 



FORESTRY AND IRRIGATION. 



October, 



facture that it is most certain of appre- 

 ciation when it becomes better known. 

 Taking a high polish, free from pitch, 

 and, when properly sawed, showing a 

 beautiful grain, it is an excellent wood 

 for wainscot, panels, and newels. It 

 is harder and less easily dented than 

 Redwood or Cedar, and has a uniforml}' 

 firm grain, which on drying does not 

 show the minute corrugations charac- 

 teristic of Red F'ir and other trees hav- 

 ing a marked difference between sum- 

 mer and fall wood. 



Of greater economic importance, how- 

 ever, is the use of Hemlock as a substi- 

 tute for Spruce and White Pine in the 

 manufacture of boxes. The scarcity 

 of timber suitable for this purpose is a 

 cause of much concern even in the 

 West. 



The conclusions to which this study 

 has led ma}' be briefly summarized as 

 follows : 



(r ) The wood of the Western Hem- 

 lock is far superior to that of the east- 

 ern tree. It is suitable for use in all 

 ordinary building work ; it furnishes 



good paper pulp; it is sufficiently light 

 and strong to make excellent wooden- 

 ware stock, and it is particularly valu- 

 able for indoor finishing. Its bark is 

 half again as rich in tannin as that of 

 the eastern tree. 



(2) Under favorable conditions the 

 Western Hemlock reproduces abun- 

 dantly and grows very rapidly. Since 

 these conditions are usually- disadvan- 

 tageous to Red Fir, Hemlock may often 

 be counted upon to reforest cut-over 

 lands when Red Fir would probably 

 fail to establish itself. 



(3) The Western Hemlock has now 

 to contend mainly with prejudice which 

 is based upon a knowledge of the east- 

 ern tree alone. The importance of 

 bringing it into the market on a large 

 scale as a substitute for Spruce and 

 White Pine is growing rapidly. Its 

 qualities entitle it to rank among the 

 valuable timber trees of this continent. 



This bulletin discusses the disea.ses 

 and insect enemies of the .species, its 

 range and habits, rate of growth, and 

 reproductive power. The manufactur- 



HEMLOCK SEEDLINGS GROWING ON ROTTEN WOOD. 



