Canadian Forcslrif Journal, June, 1918 



1729 



bidder above a certain minimum 

 price. In 1912, 2,465,430 saw-limber 

 trees (10 inches and over in diameter 

 breast high) were offered for sale at 

 such auctions, together with con- 

 siderable tie material and firewood. 

 The trees are ordinarily sold in the 

 form of smgie logs, and the average 

 price per log was 83 cents, varying 

 from 12 cents to SI -93. Because of 

 low bids about 630,165 stems were 

 left unsold. Of the material put up at 

 auction, 76.6 per cent, was Scotch 

 pine and 23.4 Norway spruce. 



Considerable smaller saw timber, 

 tie material, and firewood are also 

 offered for sale at smaller local 

 auctions. In 1912, for instance, pro- 

 ducts valued at $229,724 were dis- 

 posed of in this way. These auctions 

 are constantly increasing in popular- 

 ity and importance, as is seen from 

 the fact that while they were held 

 in onlv three of the State forests in 

 1904, they were held in 45 in 1912. 

 The chief purchasers at such auctions 

 are now sawmills, which some ten 

 years ago had practically no interest 

 in them. 



Small Fire Losses 



For so large and comparatively 

 unsettled a forest area the extent of 

 the fire damage is remarkably small. 

 In 1912 onlv 991 acres were burned 

 over at a loss of $11,945 ($12.05 per 

 acre). This showing is particularly 

 remarkable, when it is remembered 

 that it is not so many years since 

 reckless burning of the forests was 

 the rule, and fires w^ere frequently set 

 in order to clear patches of land 

 which were cultivated for a few years 

 and then abandoned. Trespass oc- 

 curred in 277 cases, but amounted to 

 only $1,732. 



The State itself operates three 

 sawmills. These at first were intended 

 only for the utilization of such forest 

 products as did not find purchasers 

 in the general market and for the 

 procuring of firewood for the State 

 railways. They.. have, however, de- 

 veloped considerably, until now they 

 are a source of more or less export 

 material. In 1912, for instance, 2,000 

 standards were produced by these 

 mills for export, and considerably 



more in 1911. In addition to making 

 possible the utilization )f the more 

 distant forests, these mills have 

 proved of decided advantage in giving 

 the government a clearer insight into 

 conditions in the international timber 

 market and a better grasp on the 

 sawmill industry. 



Public Income 



The total income from the State 

 forests in 1912 was $2,726,853 and 

 the net income $1,692,039. This 

 am.ounts to a net income :f 12.7 cents 

 and is certainly a creditable showing, 

 when the poor growing conditions 

 and comparative inaccessibility of 

 much of the State forest areas are 

 considered. 



From 180 to 200 trained foresters 

 are regularly employed, in addition 

 to which there are a varying number 

 of temporary appointments in the 

 different forests. Technical forestry 

 is now taught at the University of 

 Helsingfors, where the course covers 

 from three to four years. ^ / 



WALNUT NEEDED FOR ARMY 



Major E. A. Shepherd, of the Ord- 

 nance Department of the U. S. 

 army, has sent the following letter 

 to lumber manufacturers: 



"The Ordnance Department and 

 the Signal Corps of the United States 

 army jointly request that you refrain 

 for the duration of the war from the 

 manufacture of veneer from walnut 

 lumber, other than butts, crotches, 

 or figured material, none of which 

 walnut lumber is suitable for the 

 manufacture of gun stocks or air- 

 plane propellers. 



"The walnut lumber that enters 

 into the manufacture of veneers, 

 other than that above stated, is 

 urgently needed at this time by the 

 United States Government in the 

 prosecution to a successful conclu- 

 sion of the war which we are now 

 waging against Germany. In other 

 words, this lumber is a vital necessity 

 for the manufacture of gun stocks 

 and airplane propellers for the im- 

 mediate equipment of our forces. 

 It is requested, therefore, that you 

 refrain from the manufacture of 

 veneers, as stated above." 



