Forest Conditions in Central Sierra Nevadas 35 



Truckee by a stub branch extending to the mills, although a 

 great deal is hauled to Truckee by ox team. The mill proprietors 

 own and operate a narrow gauge logging railroad, maintaining 

 in all about twenty miles of track. 



The Floriston Paper Mill is increasing its output and its 

 variety of products each year. California Red Fir and White 

 Fir are the chief species used in the manufacture of the paper, 

 which is mostly of the cheaper grade, such as is used for wrap- 

 ping fruits. Much firewood is cut along the northwestern shores 

 of Lake Tahoe chiefly for the use of the large steamers which 

 navigate the lake. 



Although the manufacture of lumber within this area seems 

 destined to decline, the paper industry and the cutting of cord- 

 wood for fuel have a promising future. 



The above represents some of the conditions with which 

 the administration of the Tahoe National Forest is compelled to 

 deal. In very few parts of the western mountains have the 

 slopes been so completely denuded of forest as is the case here. 

 A common remark of the Forest Service officers upon finding 

 a tree of merchantable size and quality is that the land must be 

 privately owned. It is evident that such might be the case, since 

 the railway is the owner of the odd-numbered sections and many 

 of the other sections are homesteads, mining claims or summer 

 homes. With proper administration of the forest in the future 

 it is hoped that the percentage of brush slopes may be materially 

 reduced, and that many of the areas now supporting stands of 

 inferior timber can be made to produce to their full capacity. 



