26 



MISC. PUBLICATION 11, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 



10 inches d. b. h. and larger show the results on average acres, as determined 

 by two different studies: 



Studies by 



Year 



Average 

 original 

 stand > 



Qreeley and Oranger. 

 Johnson and Tinker.. 



Ft. b. m. 

 1915 5, 600 



1022 5, 623 



Amount 

 cut 



4,164 

 3, 936 



Per cent 



74.5 

 70.0 



Amount 

 left 



1,436 

 1,687 



Percent 



25.5 



sao 



1 Both these studios were made on areas where the average acre carries a larger volume than the average 

 for the Custer»clrcie. The areas carry, also, more than the average number of intermediates. In each 

 case, however, an ellort was made to piclc areas that would give an average acre for the Black Hills 

 region. 



The growth in the virgin stands is practically nothing, decay in most cases 

 being equal to and Ireciueutly greater than increment. The increment in cut- 

 over .stands amounts to 254 per cent in oij years, according to predictions made 

 on the basis of growth studies by Forest E.xaminer F. R. Jolmson. (See Tables 

 2 and 4.) This is predicted on the assumption that growth continues at the 

 same rate during the last 15 years of the cutting cycle as it does during the 

 second 10-year period. 



ECONOMIC SITUATION 



ACCESS I BII-ITY 



The Black Hills branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad passes 

 through the circle from south to north. Fair to good roads radiate in all direc- 

 tions from Custer and Pringle. Secondary and woods roads make almost 

 every unit east of Pleasant Valley easily accessible. "West of Pleasant Valley 

 there are fewer roads, and on the average they are in poorer condition. 

 Logging-road construction in the main draws i.s not diflQcult, as a rule. Feeder 

 roads in the side draws usually involve heavier construction, with consdierable 

 rock work, especially west of Pleasant Valley. 



PRESENT AND FUTUBE MARKETS 



The towns of Custer and Pringle and the numerous ranches scattered through- 

 out the circle olTer a local market for a limited quantity of the lumber produced. 

 The Burlington Railroad is now (192.S) the largest individual purcliaser of the 

 timber products of the circle. This company buys railroad ties, coal and grain 

 doors, and some bridge and structural timliers. The Warren-Lamb Lumber Co., 

 of Rapid City, buys logs, mill-run lumber, and slab wood. In addition there 

 is a more or less uncertain market for mine ties, mine timbers, fence posts, lath, 

 and shingles. Fuel wood is always in some demand. The market for lath 

 and shingles can be devel()|)ed into a very good business if properly handled. 



Tiie sustained annual yield as lixed in this plan is more than sufhcient to 

 care for all present local demands. Slionld mining again become an active 

 business there will be a marked increase in the local demand for all kinds of 

 lumber and timbers. The allowable cut would still be more than sufficient for 

 local needs, however. The surr.lus will in the future be used to meet the 

 increasing demand from the prairie regions surrounding the Black Hills. 



The future will also bring an increasing demand for box lumber. This will 

 be supi>lied from any surplus remaining after the above-mentioned demands 

 have been caretl for. The suri)lus will undonbledly be too small to supply tlie 

 railroad demand. Tins will force the r.urlington to turn to the lodgei)olq 

 forests in the Big Ilonis for the products it needs, especially ties. Such a 

 move will be very desiraide from a Forest Sen-ice standpoint. 



roi'UI.ATIO.X AND LAIK)R SUPPLY 



East of Pleasant Valley the circle is well iK>pulated, principally by small 

 ranchers and stock growers. Stock raising is the principal occupation in the 

 west part. I>and suitable for farming is not .so abundant there, and ranches 

 are con.sequentJy fewer and more widely separated. 



