46 AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE OF TEXAS. 



the first plan, there would be small areas of timber and scattered trees 

 available which are not included in the figures shown as the present 

 stand. Owners could thus receive revenue from their timber when 

 clearing land. Buyers for the central concern could accumulate small 

 amounts of timber at railroad points and ship whenever carload lots 

 were on hand. 



LOGGING COSTS. 



The average cost of logging and delivering mesquite to a local mill 

 should approximate $11 per M board feet, divided as follows: 



Stumpage (4 cords at 50 cents each) $ 2 00 



Cutting (including supervision) 5 00 



Hauling (average haul 1.7 miles and four trips daily) 4 00 



Total per M board feet $11 00 



If the raw material is shipped to one central mill the following ap- 

 proximate figures should be added to the above cost: 



Loading (4 cords at 50 cents each) $ 2 00 



Freight ($1 per cord average) 4 00 



Total per M board feet $ 6 00 



MILLING COSTS. 



It is difficult to estimate the cost of milling mesquite as no data could 

 be obtained in the region. Based upon portable mill operations in such 

 of the hardwood regions as are comparable, the average cost should not 

 exceed $10 per M board feet. 



From the above figures the average cost of logging and milling 1000 

 board feet of mesquite timber should range from $21 to $27, depending 

 upon the location of the mill. 



SUMMARY. 



Since logs less than two inches in diameter at the center by two feet 

 in straight, clear length cannot be utilized, approximately 90 per cent 

 of the total area of the region studied is covered with a growth of un- 

 merchantable timber. 



The possible commercial stands comprise an area of approximately 

 9300 acres, with an average volume of 561.4 board feet per acre, and a 

 total volume of 6,035,000 board feet. 



The log run will average 3-4 inches center diameter bv 3 feet long. 



Trees more than 9-10 inches in diameter at breast height are usually 

 unsound, either through windshake, insect injuries or decay. 



Efficient logging can be done cheaply in comparison to the possible 

 value of the finished product. 



In order to minimize costs, unsuitable raw material must be culled 

 out before hauling or shipping to the mill. 



