4 BULLETIN 604, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



tion, however, var}^ widely with its quality and the use for which it 

 is desired. As high as $75 per thousand feet board measure has 

 been paid for select uppers, to be used as pattern stock and in cabinet 

 work; but it is often difficult to dispose of the lower grades at $8 

 or $10 per thousand, prices which scarcely pay the cost of logging 

 and manufacture. Table 5 shows the range of prices as they were 

 quoted in 1912, and the average prices for the different grades. 



Table 5. — Selling price of incense cedar, by grades, f. o. b. mill in 1912. 



Grade. 



Range. 



Clears 



No. 1 common. . 

 No. 2 common 1 . 

 Mill run , 



$30 to $75 per 1,000 feet. 

 $22 to $32 per 1,000 feet . 

 $18 to $22 per 1,000 feet. 

 $10 to $20 per 1,000 feet . 



$45 per 1,000 feet b. m. 

 $27.50 per 1,000 feet b. m. 

 $20 per 1,000 feet b. m. 

 $15 per 1,000 feet b. m. 



1 Grades lower than No. 2 common are usually unmerchantable. 



The greater portion of the cedar that finds its way into the gen- 

 eral market is used by builders for outside trim and interior finish. 

 Its durability, easy working qualities, pleasing grain, rich color, and 

 ability to take a good polish make it particularly desirable for these 

 purposes. Sash and door manufacturers use it to some extent be- 

 cause of its availability and cheapness, although in the aggregate it 

 amounts to but 2 per cent of the total quantity of lumber consumed 

 by this industry. It is used also in the manufacture of chests and 

 wardrobes, the aromatic odor of the wood supposedly rendering them 

 moth-proof. A small quantity is consumed annually for pattern 

 stock, moldings, and raisin trays. Locally, incense cedar is used for 

 dimension stuff and rough construction work, or for sills, culverts, 

 sidewalks, bridge planks, etc., where cheapness or durability are 

 important and the presence of dry-rot does not affect its usefulness. 



Cedar is used occasionally in the manufacture of crates and fruit 

 boxes, but owing to its tendency to split in nailing it is considered 

 undesirable. An attempt also has been made to utilize it in the man- 

 ufacture of cigar boxes, but it was found that the oils contained in 

 the wood imparted a disagreeable flavor to the cigars. 



In the early nineties there was a considerable demand for incense- 

 cedar ties, and large numbers were hewn in Eldorado, Placer, and 

 Nevada Counties. These ties brought 25 cents each and found a 

 ready market at San Joaquin Valley points, where railroad construc- 

 tion was then under way. As the size and weight of rolling stock 

 increased, cedar was found to be too soft to stand the wear and tear, 

 and its use was abandoned, except for logging roads and spurs where 



