16 SEC0XD-GR0WTH HARDWOODS IN CONNECTICUT. 



extensively used for poles, ties, planks, and heavy short timbers, 

 cabinet manufacturers and others using finishing lumber find it well- 

 nigh impossible to obtain seasoned and well-graded stock of sufficient 

 length for their needs and are compelled to import their chestnut, 

 often from distant points. This inability to obtain domestic lumber 

 in proper size and quality is due largely to the owners of wood lots, 

 who prefer to supply the constant demand for cord wood, ties, and 

 switch timbers rather than to grow higher-class material for a less 

 certain market. Lumber is usually a secondary consideration. That 

 which they cut is usually in short lengths, ungraded, unseasoned, 

 and likely to be narrow or knotty. It is sometimes hard to dispose 

 of such material for S14 per thousand board feet. Much excellent 

 stuff is cut, however, in the form of short bridge planking and 

 car stock. 



The ordinary wholesale values for native chestnut lumber and 

 planks range from 818 to S25 per thousand board feet. Extra wide 

 and long lumber brings a much higher price, and by grading and sea- 

 soning it is more than likely that 840 could be obtained for chestnut 

 lumber in Xew York, if not in Connecticut. From the development 

 of such a market another for the lower grades could be expected. 

 Hitherto these have too often proved a drug on the market sufficient 

 to nullify the highest prices received for the best grades. 



Oaks. — Oak timbers are widely used in car construction for head 

 sills, bumpers, and box-car frames, and the like, for which their 

 superior strength adapts them. For main sills southern yellow pine 

 is used, since oak of sufficient length can rarely be obtained in the 

 State. Oak plank is in demand for wagon stock and steamer paddle 

 box buckets. Oak is the principal wood used in wheel manufacture, 

 and it also finds place for furniture, interior finish, handles, picker 

 sticks for looms, and a number of other purposes. Because of its 

 wider usefulness, oak lumber has a higher market value than chest- 

 nut. In general, it brings from 825 to 835 per thousand board feet, 

 although short car oak ordinarily ranges from 824 to -820. and even 

 less, per thousand. White oak is, of course, much the most valuable 

 species; 830 per thousand feet is probably about the average whole- 

 sale price for white-oak planks and lumber, though dealers often 

 receive as much as 840 or 845 per thousand for the best white oak 

 plank up to IS feet in length. " Rock" or chestnut oak lumber, which 

 closely resembles white oak, is somewhat less valuable than the latter. 

 For "yellow" or black oak and red oak lumber, 825 per thousand is 

 about the average. 



White [Ant. — White pine lumber, unedged. knotty, and in short 

 lengths and small sizes, finds a market as box boards, and brings from 

 $12.50 to $16 per thousand wholesale. Square-edged white pine 

 lumber usually sells wholesale for from 820 to 830 per thousand. 



