132 



The Forests op Maryland. 



From the Survey of 1914 it is apparent that only 22 per cent of • 

 the county's woodlands are in mixed hardwood stands, 59 per cent be- 

 ing in pine, and 19 per cent in mixtures of each. There are 15,869 

 acres of hardwoods containing stands amounting to 5,000 or more 

 board feet per acre, with 18,241 acres amounting to less; of the pine, 

 there are 7,902 acres averaging over 5,000 feet, and 77,387 acres where 

 the stands are less; while the mixed stands are all of less than 5,000. 

 feet per acre, and comprise an area of 28,783 acres. 



Uses of the Forests. 



Worcester County has a total of 51 large mill and timber oper- 

 ators, and a cut of timber which ranks high among the county's sources 

 of employment and revenue. In 1914 it aggregated 3,525,700 cubic 

 feet of wood, the value at shipping points being quoted at $467,191. 

 Lumber was the most valuable product, with staves, in which this 

 county leads, coming next, then piling, barrels, cordwood, mine props, 

 poles, lath, shingles, railroad ties, and barrel headings. Railway lines 

 totalling 57 miles, together with the exceptional water facilities, are 

 an aid to the profitable conduct of the local timber business. The cut 

 is important, and is reflected in the number of wood-using industries 

 now in operation here. Berlin has two planing mills and yards, with 

 a plant producing baskets and dishes ; Poeomoke City, three yards and 

 planing mills, and plants for manufacturing crates, baskets, barrels, 

 box shooks, and boats ; and Snow Hill, three yards, two planing mills, 

 with planing mills at Girdletree and Stockton. Stockton and Girdle- 

 tree also manufacture barrels; Whaleysville, crates and baskets; 

 Showell, boxes and baskets. 



Worcester County's forests do not suffer much from fires, the low 

 elevation, to a certain degree, preventing this; they are adequate in 

 area for the county 's present needs ; and they are at present supply- 

 ing most of the forest industries in operation here. It would seem 

 that only more efficient management is needed to make the forests 

 increasingly productive, the forest industries a continued source of 

 benefit and value to this section. 



