20 BULLETIN" 234, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



The market prices for lodgepole-pine products vary a great deal in 

 different localities. The price of ties is usually fixed by agreements 

 between tie contractors and the railroads. During the last 10 years, 

 however, there has been a steady rise in the prices paid for lodgepole- 

 pine ties. About 5 years ago one large company held a contract to 

 deliver a minimum of 500,000 ties per year at 39 cents on the track, 

 and for all over the minimum number was to receive 45 cents each. 

 Recently the prices paid have ranged from 50 to 65 cents each for 

 first-class ties. 



Mine props are usually sold by the linear foot, the pieces varying 

 in diameter from 3 to 6 inches at the smaller end, and in length from 

 3J to 16 feet. In general, prices range from 1 to 5 cents per linear 

 foot, according, in some measure, to the size of the prop. At one 

 place in Colorado, for example, the price paid f . o. b. cars is 1 cent per 

 linear foot for 16-foot props, and 1.5 cents per linear foot for 7, 8, and 

 10 foot props with the small end not less than 4 inches. Representa- 

 tive prices for stulls, lagging, and converter poles in the vicinity of 

 Butte, Mont., are shown in Table 9. Wood usually sells from $5 or $6 

 per cord delivered to the consumer in town. 



In many places there are strong local markets for lodgepole-pine 

 lumber. While the yearly demand is not large, the prices paid are 

 good. In one locality the mill run sells for $17.50 per thousand board 

 feet, and in another for $20.50. While in most places mill run is sel- 

 dom sold for less than from $15 to $16 per thousand board feet, yet 

 where lumber is considered a by-product, such material is often sold 

 at only a small profit or even at cost. 



CHARCOAL MAKING. 



In making charcoal the first work is to grade and level up the 

 ground where the pit is to be located. The same place is used two or 

 three times to save work in grading. The wood is cut in 10-foot 

 lengths and hauled to the place where it is to be burned. Each pit 

 accommodates about 50 cords of wood properly stacked and covered 

 with brush, leaves, and dirt. Very complete utilization is secured, 

 since even small branches and twigs are used to fill in chinks and for 

 covering. The actual burning takes about 20 days. Forty bushels of 

 charcoal are produced per cord of wood, weighing 13i pounds per 

 bushel. Charcoal makers usually work in pairs, for when the pit is 

 burning it must be watched night and day to guard against blow-outs 

 and to change the drafts with varying weather conditions. Two pits 

 are usually burned at one time, a pair of men guarding both. 



In charcoal operations near Bernice, Mont., the finished product has 

 to be hauled 8 miles to the railroad at Bernice. One round trip is 

 made a day, with an average haul of 400 bushels. The charcoal is 

 then shipped by freight to Helena in carload lots of 1,600 bushels, at 

 a rate of 15 cents per hundred pounds. Itemized costs of charcoal 

 making in the vicinity of Bernice are as follows: 



