68 FOREST CONDITIONS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA. 



in this region in 1909 was hemlock. This was cut principally by the 

 pulp company itself. Local operators usually peel hemlock, because 

 both the bark and the wood then dry out better, making transportation 

 charges less on account of the decreased weight, and also because the 

 bark and the wood will bring better prices when sold separately. Most 

 of the readily accessible hemlock has been cut, so that the greater part 

 of the future output of this class of pulp wood will probably be taken 

 out in connection with some large lumber or cordwood operation where 

 a flume or dummy line is used. Hemlock wood, like the spruce, is 

 treated by the sulphite process. 



The demand created by this industry is of great advantage to all 

 who own hemlock stumpage. Although it pays better to convert the 

 better class of timber into lumber than into pulp, yet there is a large 

 proportion of wind-shaken and small timber (30 to 50 per cent of low 

 grade in many stands) which pays better as pulp. Some operators 

 even claim that it is more profitable to cut hemlock indiscriminately 

 for pulp. Even in a lumber operation there is generally a large amount 

 of hemlock timber that can be disposed of for pulp wood which would 

 otherwise be wasted. This demand therefore makes possible a close 

 utilization of hemlock, and avoidance of waste. The close cutting of 

 this species is of value to the forest, for usually there are other better 

 species to take the place of the slow growing hemlock. 



Poplar. — Poplar pulpwood, locally called "soft" wood, includes pop- 

 lar, linn, buckeye, and cucumber. About 20 per cent of the pulp wood 

 now consumed is of this class. No distinction is made between the 

 species, and all four may be mixed in the same cord. These soft woods 

 are treated by the soda process, and because of the light color of the 

 wood make a very good quality of paper. The timber when cut is 

 usually peeled in the woods. The peeled wood brings at the railroad 

 an average of $5 a cord, while the wood with the bark on is worth 

 from fifty cents to a dollar less. These woods peel readily when they 

 are cut in the spring and summer, which is a disadvantage in that it 

 not only prevents profitable winter work, but it discourages sprout re- 

 production. 



As all the species of this class of pulp wood make valuable lumber, 

 with the possible exception of buckeye, only such trees as will not make 

 a good grade of lumber are usually used for pulp. Two different quali- 

 ties of this soft wood timber are used : first, the lops and tops left after 

 lumbering, and the hollow and otherwise defective mature trees, to- 

 gether with the slab waste at the mill; and, second, immature second 

 growth. A close utilization of the timber is of great advan- 



