Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-01-13
Yellow Pine, Present and Prospective.
By Il. p. RepDIrd, in Sout6e1a Lun5eToaa for.
tJdnUdTV.

ny a. D. 4tcfLAFtts ~ ODUhefNi zimmerman Tor
January.
The yellow pine lumber interests have
passed through, during the last two years,
most trying ordeal. In ninety DAYS
from the commencement OF the decline in
prices it dropped SD per thousand. This,
to about One-third OF the trade, meant
bankrutcy. We would venture the asser-
tiOn that nearly one third of the mills have
gone out OF business, and owing to the
severe drOuth that has prevailed i'm the
South for the last four months, we will
also venture to say that the production
has been curtailed fully 1000, 900 feet per
day. The production will probably be
curtailed still further; but the ultimate
result can but be of great advantage to
the trade. The consumption is certainly
becoming more extended, and it is being
used in the place OF other woods more rap
idly than ever in its history. 1t has quail
ties combining strength with durability
and pliability, which makes it one of the
most valuable woods known The con-
sulners of woods of all kinds are discover
ing this fact all over the world. Large
quantities of it are not only being shipped
to Europe and South America. bur to
Africa and even Australia and the islands
Of the sea. In the near future it's true
value viii be better known, and if manu-
facturers and owners of timber lands will
only consult their own interests thew will
YET realize handsome dividends from their
faith and courage in holding their proper
ties. Our advice to the people of the
South is to hold on to your timbered lands
as long as possible. You will never re-
greet 1t. Don't part with them for a song.
For the last two years we have realized
that lower prices were inevitable. We
are now convinced that higher prices
must follow the long depression. In
speaking OF the trade and its condition,
we desire TO impress this fact upon the
minds of your readers, that we speak of
the yellow pine interest Of the Atlantic
slope because we are more familiar with
that than any other section.
1t Is greatly TO be deplOred that the I'M
mercliul destruction of our forests by the
turpentine industry could not be regulated
IN some way so as 20 obtain the greatest
value from the property. 1t is a fact well
known to the trade that millions of acres
have been totally destroyed by the tur-
pentine business, as it will be impossible
to reach the timber thus injured and saw
1t into lumber before it becomes almost
Yalueless for saw mill purposes. If, as
soon as the turpentine manufacturers
abandoned this timber, the saw mill
men could utilize it, it would save
millions of feet of lumber to the country.
which means millions Of dollars to the
country. But this seems impossible, as
not the future. After the turpentine men
abandon the timber, large quantities Of it
burn down, blow down and die before it
can ever be reached by the saw mill men.
Cannot some plan be adopted that will
save to the country so much valuable
timber! There is 500, 000,000 worth of
pine in Georgia, at the market price, and
nearly 5000, 100000 in value will be de-
Stroyed IN this way if some practical plan
is not adopted by which to prevent it.
Nearly One-third Of the taxable property
Of Georgia TO be lost; and what can be
said Of Georgia, we think, will be the
result in other Southern States.
1t IS true the census claims a stumpage
of about 236, 900 600 feet of yellow pine
in the South, with a cut of, say 1,500, 000,-
900 feet per year. Some argue that yellow
pine will last, at the present rate of pro-
duction, $50 years. Now, we believe the
timber available for sawmill purposes
VIII be cut short fully One-third by reason
Of the devastation caused by turpentine
operators; that is to say, reduced in avail
able stumpage suitable for manufacture
ing into lumber from $4,000, 900, 600 feet to
about 100, 10000 feet. We believe the
largest operators in lumber will grant
that the business is in its infancy. Now
say the annual production is raised from
l,oOO,OOO.OO 900 feet per year, to 5000, 600, GOO
feet, and thirty-twO years-an average
life-time-would see our yellow pine for
ests thing of the pastl
We do not believe we are extravagant
in our estimates. We will venture the
prediction that the production of yellow
pine in the South will be 5000 900 600 feet
a year in from six to eight years. Lumber
from the South during the war rose to $50
and $50 per thousand at the North. Nav
il not reach those tlgures again in twenty
five or thirty years is an open question.
We lay stress upon all these points, trust
ing that some may read, reflect and hold
TO their extremely valuable properties.
Patient waiting will surely be rewarded.