FOREST POLICY. 



gum. In olden times "Delaware white oak," coming from this 

 section, was famous as shipbuilding timber. 



In the southern half of the State, woodlands consisting of 

 pines (mitis; rigida; virginiana) and broad-leafed species predom- 

 inate over the farms. 



4. Forest ownership: 10 firms own 2,203 acres. 



5. Use of timber: Logs on stump are worth $3.52; at mill, 

 $S-SS. 76 saw mills report an average investment of $3,255. The 

 output of the mills rises in value from census to census, in spite 

 of supplies reported as waning. It was in 



1850 $236,000 



1880 41 1,000 



1900 471,000 



The cut in the census year consisted of: — 



Conifers 30,000,000 feet b. m. 



Hardwoods 6,000,000 feet b. m. 



After Fernow, in 1887, 200,000 cords of firewood were cut, 

 selling at $3 to $4 per cord. The Dupont Powder Works use 

 willow charcoal, obtained from their own plantations. Staves 

 and headings locally produced are worth $37,000. The local pro- 

 duction of furniture and carriage stock, etc., is practically nill. 



The leather industry is important, its output (from 20 firms) 

 being $9,500,000 in the 12th census year. The product, however, 

 consists almost entirely of goat skins. These skins are not tanned 

 by the vegetable tanning process, but chemicals (chromium, alum- 

 inum and other salts) are used. The price of the chemicals con- 

 sumed alone is $244,000. The consumption of hemlock bark 

 amounts to 1,316 cords only; that of oak bark to 300 cords only. 



The paper and pulp industry produces $600,000 worth of 

 goods. It consumes large amounts of fiber and pulp produced 

 elsewhere. There are used, however, 21,320 cords of poplar wood; 

 locally produced and valued at $131,467 (for soda fiber). 



6. Forestry movement: None. 



7. Laws : Delaware has excellent laws relative to the main 

 impediments to forestry, which are taxes and fires. 



(l) Property is taxed only on its rental value. Hence 

 iwoodland is almost exempt from taxation, the rents being ex- 

 ceedingly small. 



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