212 



AMERICAN FORESTRY 



The market absorbed more lumber in 

 1909 than ever in the history of the 

 country. This was due in part to 

 continued railroad building and devel- 

 opment which followed the entry of 

 roads into new regions. And, despite 

 the unsatisfactory prices of 1907-8-9, 

 mills continued to multiply until, in 

 the latter year, there were nearly 50,000 

 making lumber in the United States. 

 The cutting capacity to carry this peak 

 load has since been grinding away on 

 part time or intermittently. Some have 

 been eliminated through the inexorable 

 law of survival of the fittest. More 

 will be eliminated. In 1913, according 

 to government figures, the market 

 absorbed only thirty-eight billion feet, a 

 decrease in four years of over 1 5 per cent. 

 Although in ten years the population of 

 the country has increased 21 per cent, 

 lumber consumption during that time 

 has increased but 14 per cent. Building 

 operations in North America as a whole 

 increased from 1909 to 1912 but lumber 

 consumption decreased one-seventh. 

 The American lumber market absorbed 

 less lumber in 1913 than in 1909, 

 irrespective of increased population. 



What may we expect of the future? 

 Will the nation use more or less? 



ESTIMATED CONSUMPTION OF THE FUTURE 



The per capita consumption in the 

 United States in 1909 was 500 feet. 

 In densely populated Germany it was 

 48 feet. Let us not account for the 

 small consumption of lumber in Ger- 

 many by supposing that it is costly 

 there. The consumer in Germanv prob- 

 ablv pays no more for his lumber than 

 does the consumer in America. The 

 manufacturers in Europe realize about 

 the same price per thousand at the mill 

 as do the yellow pine manufacturers 

 of the South. To be sure, the product 

 is low grade, but so is 80 per cent of 

 ours, and the freight to the consuming 

 centers is much less than in the United 

 States. 



Suppose that our present consump- 

 tion per capita, 425 feet, is maintained 

 for twenty years and that our population 

 shall increase every year by one and 

 one-half million as it has during several 

 years past. This continued increase is 

 improbable, although a heavy influx of 

 immigrants may be expected after the 

 European war. But even on this san- 

 guine estimate, 1935 will consume but 

 little more lumber than 1909, unless the 

 inherent instinct of mankind to use 

 wood is fostered. 



[The second part of this article, which deals with the reasons for the decline in the lumber 

 industry and suggests means for rebuilding and improving it, will appear in the April 

 number of American Forestry. Editor.] 



REGISTER OF FORESTERS 



WITHIN a few weeks the 

 American Forestry Associa- 

 tion will close the register 

 of Foresters which it pro- 

 poses to publish. 



While the names of a majority of these 

 Foresters have been secured there are un- 



doubtedly some which are not on the list. 

 It is therefore desired that Foresters 

 who have not as yet sent in their 

 names do so at once and that they also 

 send the names, positions and locations 

 of any others whom they think may be 

 missing from the list. 



