20 ANNUAL REPORT OF 



that during the recent prosperous years the cut of pine 

 timber has amounted to about one bilHon and a half each 

 year. On account of the unexpected business depression 

 beginning in the latter part of 1907, it was assumed that 

 the output for the winter of 1907-8 would be only about 

 half the usual amount. 



With a view to ascertaining as far a's practicable the 

 output for that season, I in December last, sent out 

 printed blanks to about 300 firms and individuals supposed 

 to be engaged in cutting timber of various kinds in 

 Northern Minnesota, calling for a statement of the number 

 of feet and kinds of timber being cut for the market, on 

 what subdivisions, the number of logging camps, number 

 of men employed and average wages. Replies were re- 

 ceived quite generally and promptly and in a frank and 

 cordial spirit. I received in all 260 returns and com- 

 munications, showing that the aggregate output of various 

 kinds of timber and wood from the Minnesota forests this 

 past winter was as follows : 



Pine, 800,000,000 feet; mixed timber, including ash, 

 balsam, basswood, birch, cedar, poplar, pine, spruce and 

 tamarac, 79,000,000 feet. Included in this last Hst should 

 be noted Balm of Gilead, a species of poplar not before 

 reported as being cut for timber. Number of poles, 

 213,028; number of ties, 3,565,750; number of posts, 

 i.754>5oo; number cords of pulp wood, 151,890; number 

 cords of wood, 77,580; number of feet of mining timber, 

 500,000; number logging camps, 529; number of men 

 employed, 19, 575; average wages, $26 a month and 

 board. 



These returns are probably 25 per cent below the actual 

 output. In respect to cordwood, pulpwood, posts, ties 

 and poles, I believe they are much more than 25 per 

 cent below the actual output. Naturally I could not get 



