THE PRODUCTION OF LUMBER IN 1913. 3 



existed in the industry. During the first three months of the year 

 the lumber trade was much improved, but in the second quarter the 

 demand for lumber fell off noticeably. Further weakening in the 

 demand during the summer led to decreased production in the 

 yellow-pine and Douglas-fir regions for short periods. The fall 

 demand did not improve. In general the year was one of over- 

 production and slack business in the principal lumber manufacturing 

 regions. 



Notwithstanding temporary decreases in the production of yellow 

 pine and Douglas fir, the reported cut of yellow pine was about 

 seven-tenths of 1 per cent and of Douglas fir about 1\ per cent greater 

 in 1913 than in 1912. The cut of Douglas fir in 1913 was the largest 

 ever reported, while the 1913 cut of yellow pine was second only to 

 that of 1909. Had not enforced curtailment in the output of these 

 two woods been necessary, the total lumber production of 1913 would 

 undoubtedly have exceeded that of 1912. In fact, had not the cut of 

 white pine, hemlock, spruce, oak, and maple declined in 1913, the 

 increased cut of yellow pine, Douglas fir, cypress, and red gum in that 

 year would have carried the total lumber production beyond that 

 for 1912. 



The increased cut of certain woods is reflected in the increased 

 production of Washington, Oregon, and the lower Mississippi Valley 

 States, while the decreased cut of other woods is reflected in the de- 

 creased production of the Northern, Central, and Atlantic States. 

 The reported production of 4,592,055,000 feet in Washington in 1913 

 was the largest ever recorded for that State or any other State. The 

 largest production previously reported by one State was that of 

 4,311,240,000 feet in 1890, by Michigan. 



Of the total reported production of lumber, softwoods contributed 

 30,302,549,000 feet board measure in 1913, as against 30,526,416,000 

 feet in 1912, and 28,902,388,000 feet in 1911. 



Table 2 shows the total production of lumber in 1913 by production 

 classes of sawmills. It will be noted that mills having an annual 

 production of less than 50,000 feet are not considered in this report. If 

 reports from such mills had been included the total production would 

 probably not have been increased by more than one-half of 1 per 

 cent, since in 1909 when the production of such mills was included it 

 was found that although there were 4,543 such mills they cut but 

 three-tenths of 1 per cent of the total lumber produced. Table 2 

 shows the importance of the large sawmill in furnishing the country's 

 supply of lumber, and it also shows how practically correct figures on 

 lumber production can be secured by getting reports from mills of 

 the largest two or three classes only. 



