rial growing in the forests was reduced by more than 400 

 million board feet. The decrease was about evenly 

 divided between pines and hardwoods (including cypress). 

 The pine-hardwood ratio varies among different sections 

 of the State (fig. 30; see also table 24, Appendix). 



If all trees 5.0 inches d. b. h. or larger are considered, 

 however, the total net increment exceeded the total com- 

 modity drain by 700,000 cords or 42 million cubic feet 

 (tables 24 and 26, Appendix). This excess was due 

 largely to net increment in the under-sawlog-size trees, 

 which far exceeded the volume cut from them. In pine 

 trees under sawlog size, net increment exceeded drain in 

 spite of heavy cutting for pulpwood, but not enough to 

 offset the deficit in trees of sawlog size; the total pine 

 commodity drain for all sizes exceeded the net pine incre- 

 ment by about 264,000 cords. In the hardwoods and 

 cypress, on the other hand, net increment in the smaller 

 trees so greatly exceeded the corresponding drain as to 

 offset the decrease in hardwood and cypress trees ot sawlog 

 size and add besides nearly a million cords to the growing 

 stock. Much of this net increment in hardwoods, however, 

 was in inferior species and in stands of poor quality, while 

 cutting was mainly confined to the better species and to 

 high-quality trees. 



In no subsequent year has the lumber cut equalled that 

 of 1937, or the comparison ot increment and drain been 

 darker. Nevertheless, from timber volume, net increment, 

 and commodity drain data, certain definite statements 



can be made regarding the future of the established forest 

 industries. The period of operation of most of the larger, 

 better equipped sawmills which depend chiefly upon old- 

 growth timber is definitely limited. Their places will be 

 taken by plants that can use second growth, such as pulp 

 mills, small sawmills, and (in the hardwoods) stave and 

 tie mills. This situation probably will involve a reduction 

 of aggregate employment, so that a loss in population- 

 supporting capacity of the forest area will gradually come 

 about. In parts of the State, notably in the bottom lands 

 ot the principal streams, agricultural development can 

 absorb some of this population. In others the loss of 

 forest employment will create a serious social problem. 

 Since overcutting ot sawlog stands in Louisiana is most 

 widespread in the north delta and south pine units, these 

 localities will be most seriously affected by loss of forest 

 industries. 



There now appears to be no practicable means of evad- 

 ing this problem; too many sawmills have only a limited 

 supply ot operable timber lett. Prompt action is necessary 

 to restore productivity to the depleted forest areas and, 

 through prudent and conservative use, to maintain the 

 productivity of areas now growing timber. An excellent 

 start in this direction has already been made by some ot 

 the private forest-land owners, but, considering the size of 

 the job yet to be done, it is only a start. Millions ot acres 

 of forest land still need to be brought under the provisions 

 ot a definite torest program. 



34 



