What the National Forests Mean to Montana 5 



eastern Montana also cut much yellow pine and Douglas fir from 

 the forests growing at elevations below the lodgepole pine areas. 



The magnitude of the lumber industry and what it means to the 

 State can easily be appreciated from the number of men employed in 

 the woods and mills, the revenue paid to the railroads, the amount 

 paid in taxes, and other factors contributing to the general pros- 

 perity of the region. 



The largest sawmill is at Bonner. Near by is another large mill 

 which is operated by electricity. Other large mills are located at 

 Missoula, Somers, Warland, Libby, and Troy. 



Although there are no paper mills operating in Montana, certain 

 localities offer good opportunities for the successful establishment 

 of a pulp and paper industry. Large areas on the Blackfeet and 

 Flathead National Forests are composed chiefly of Engelmann 

 spruce and white fir, species very well suited for pulpwood. The 



F-156418 



Fig. 3. — A small sawmill on the Custer National Forest in eastern Montana 



lodgepole pine stands of the State may in the future offer possibili- 

 ties for the further development of the pulp and paper industry. 



With an increase in the population of Montana, the demand, for 

 lumber will also increase. Although a certain proportion of the 

 special grades and sizes of lumber must be imported from other 

 localities, the mills of the State should be able to furnish the greater 

 part used. An adequate supply of material for these mills therefore 

 becomes a big consideration. 



Of the total quantity of lumber cut in Montana during 1924, ap- 

 proximately 18 per cent came from national forest land. As the 

 holdings of private companies are cut out, the timber of the national 

 forests will be more and more sought after, and the percentage from 

 this source, although varying from year to year, will increase in the 

 long run. 



NATIONAL FOREST TIMBER IS SOLD 



The standing timber of the national forests which is mature and 

 ready to cut is sold at fair prices (fig. 5). Anyone may buy timber, 



