TIMBER VALUES 



117 



a steady increase until in 1900 accessible sugar pine was worth 

 $1 per M; in 19 15 the following prices prevailed in private sales: 



Average 



imimum 



Sugar pine. . . . 

 Yellow pine. . . 

 Douglas fir. . . 



White fir 



Incense cedar. 



$3-oo 

 2.50 



$2.50 



$1.50 

 1 .00 



On the National Forests the highest price which has been paid 

 for sugar pine is $3.50 per M feet (1916). 



The uses to which sugar pine lumber is put depend upon the 

 distance from the place of manufacture. In CaUfornia the 

 important industries depending upon this species in whole or 

 part are the box makers, and the manufacturers of sashes, doors, 

 blinds, and general millwork. In the east only the higher grades 

 appear because they alone can stand the freight rate of $8 to $15 

 per M required to transport lumber to the Mississippi valley and 

 Atlantic seaboard. Hence, east of the Mississippi sugar pine 

 is only in demand for the high grade uses which the native white 

 pine cannot supply more cheaply. It is therefore seldom used 

 for boxes and packing but is generally found in the planing mills 

 and manufacturing establishments that need wide and clear stock. 

 For such purposes it is technically quahfied to supplant eastern 

 white pine which has been the standard for two centuries both 

 here and abroad. 



In general the wood of sugar pine may be briefly described as 

 moderately hard, heavy, strong and stiff but straight grained 

 and smooth textured. It shrinks, sweUs and warps very httle on 

 exposure to weather but is only fairly durable in contact with the 

 ground. Altho resinous it will not impart undesirable odors or 

 flavors to articles packed in it. 



Its sale value at the mill depends upon the quality. Five 

 main use classes are distinguished: thick finish, siding, factory 

 plank or shop common graded for door cuttings, common lumber, 

 and thick common lumber (tank stock and step planks). These 



