18 



SELLING WOODLOT PRODUCTS ON MICHIGAN FARMS. 



usually a distinct misuse of good material to put hard woods 1"^°^^^^ 

 lings, rafters, etc. Softwoods are much preferable for these P^^TO**^) 

 and as a rule only the lower grades are necessary, which, n me wooa- 

 lot itself does not supply enough, can almost always be bought at low 

 prices from local dealers. Culls left in portable mill work can, of course, 

 be used to advantage for such purposes, especially when of hemlock, 

 pine, or other softwood. Some small mill operators make a business 

 of buying up farm logs and selling the culls to farmers for about |17 

 per thousand feet. 



The following figures, gathered at random from a few firms in the 

 southern part of the State, show prices paid in 1914 for different species 

 and grades of farm lumber delivered at the company's yards : 



TABLE 2.— PRICES PAID FOR FARM LUMBER BY A FEW FIRMS IN SOUTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN, 1914. 



Oak, red and white, Ists and 2ndB, 1 inch lumber 



Oak, red and white, No. 1 common, 1 inch lumber 



Oak, red and white. No. 2 common, 1 inch lumber 



Oak, red and white, No. 1 common and better, 1 inch lumber. 



(H inch and 1^ inch oak lumber, Ists and 2nds, $2 or 33 more). 



Oak, white, Ists and 2nds, 3-3i inch plank. . 

 .Oak, white. No. 1 common, 3-3§ inch plank . 



Ehn, rocki Ists and 2nd3, 3-3^ inch plank 



Elm, rock. No. 1 common, 3-3J inch plank. . 

 Elm, soft, Ists and 2nds, 3-3^ inch plank. . . . 



Elm, soft. No. 2 common,. 2 inch plank 



Ehn, soft. No. 2 common and better, 1 inch lumber . 



Maple, hard, Iste and 2nds, 4 inch plank 



Maple, hard, Ists and 2nds, 3-3^ inch plai^ 



Maple, hard. No. 1 common, 3-3J inch plank 



Maple, hard. No. 2 common and better, 4 inch plank. . 



Maple, hard. No. 2 common, 2 inch plank 



Maple, hard, No. 2 common and better, 1 inch lumber . 



Maple, soft, Ists and 2nds, 3-3J inch plank 



Maple, soft. No. 1 common, 3-3J inch plank 



Maple, soft. No. 2 common and better, 1 inch lumber. 

 Basswood, No. 2 common and better, 1 inch lumber. . . 



Beech, No. 2 common and better, 1 inch lumber 



Black ash, No. 2 common and better, i inch lumber . . . 

 White pine. No. 2 common and better, 1 inch lumber. . 

 Poplar, No. 2 common and better, 1 inch lumber 



$37-39 

 28 

 23 

 30 



38 

 28 



20 

 20 

 45 

 35 



32 

 20 

 22 

 25 

 20 



23 

 25-26 

 16 

 23 

 25 

 27 



S(iwlogs 



Selling logs by the thousand board feet is a very desirable method, 

 since by it may be avoided the errors usually incident to estimating and 

 the uncertainties introduced in the sawing operation. The prices paid 

 for logs of a given species depend on the size and quality of the logs, 

 and are usually fixed by bargain. The farmer should protect himself 

 by finding out what prices have been obtained by neighbors who have 

 sold logs, and also by correspondence or interview with dealers in logs 

 for other purposes than lumber, such as veneer, handles, etc. 



As a rule, there are no standard grades of logs, but the price is fixed 

 on inspection by the purchaser. If possible, this should be done before 

 delivery. Otherwise the seller is at the buyer's mercy. 



The best prices are those paid for select walnut logs, oak and syca- 

 more for quarter-sawing, cherry, etc. A moderate market has existed 

 in the southern part of the State for export logs of hard maple, rock 

 elm, oak, etc.; but this market is very limited at the present time. 

 Maple logs for export have been bonght at about $35 per thousand board 

 feet, f. 0. b. shipping point; especially fine majilo and elm log's brought 



