Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1886-08-14
DGCALiE0RNlA ReowooDs.
Il 0s0 of1GAeaineent Timber that
0-eSso31ly IncrsasinG in Value.


cutting of oar lumber forests gone on
seys The San Francisco Alta. that the
country Is called out of its in attention
70 hoe the fact that the pine lands Of
Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota,
which have been our main reliance,
are within few years of complete ex
hsustion. 1t is estimated that within
twenty years the logging days of those
states will be over. Therefore. from
this time on, every tree cut in that re-
gion doubles the value of every uncut
tree on the Pacific coast. As long as
the end of the supply in the lake states
was not in sight there was but little
attention paid to our timber region on
this side of the continent. Indeed,
stories of its magnitude and excellence
were set down as travellers tales.
When proof was offered that out of one
California redwood tree large church
was built complete, pulpit and all,
down to the contribution-boxes, there
were sly illusions to Baron Munchausen
having lived out of his time, or having
passed away before he suffered the
humiliation of an eclipse in prevarica-
ton BY California artist in that line.
Now there is change. The solemn
and solid forests of California, Oregon,
and Washington territory are being
looked to as the future source of sup
| ply upon which at least the whole in
terror will shortly depend for its build
ing lumber. There is no doubt that in
few years an important eastern
freight by sail and rail will be the lum-
Der, lath, and shingles taken out of our
forests.
1t is a fact already that Europe re-
sorts to Puget sound for masts and
other important supplies for ship-build-
ing. and an American revival of that
industry would compel us to supply a
heavy home demand for the same pur-
pose. Such a revival is sure to come,
so that we may as well count it among
our estimates of future business.
We have one timber that should be
cared for. We can remember when
black walnut was hacked down to burn
rs cOrdwoOd. After the groves of that
tree had been slaughtered to fry pork
came time that it was so valuable
tidt MI IHulNiuudl JIcc WAS WOTln ITOln
800 to $500. 1t is sliced into veneers,
and is so priced by the furniture trade
that the process of replanting it is
going on in the certainty that lands
used in that way are an investment ex-
ceeding in value a long-running 20
vernment bond.
The people of the east are Just learn
ing the value of our redwoods. The
stumps and roots and trunks furnish
some of the finest veneering material
that is produced by any North Amer
lean tree. The time is coming when
men will make fortunes quarrying out
its stumps, in search of the charming
ctirls which are to ornament the work
of the cabinet-maker.
But, besides this, the body lumber of
a redwood is of great beauty. Polished
and vanished, as an inside it is scarce
ly inferior to rosewood in richness, and
for use in fhrniture-frames it very near
ly reprOdtces the beauty and durability
Of mahogany. with the additional adj
vantage of being much lighter, and,
therefore, easier to handle.
The great redwood region of Hum
boldt county and vicinity has not been
opened long by the lumbermen. II in
the ground beneath it there were gold
deposits of richness averaging with our
known mines, yet it would be safe to
say that there is greater wealth in this
timber. 1t is so free in working that
there is no use for which wood is sought
that it NAV not serve. Its durability
in exposed situations is one of its mar
vels. 1t has been used extensively for
posts, pickets, and railroad ties. The
latter purpose alone calls for a supply
of nearly one million annually. equal to
over twenty millions of feet, board
measure. In recent article in these
columns on the Hawaii reciprocity
treaty we pointed out the interests Of
our growing lumber trade with those
islands. One sawmill company in
Humboldt employs several ships in that
trde alone, and besides that outlet the
redwood lumber goes to Central and
South America.
We have no doubt that this noble red |
wood tree is destined to 90 through the
same experience as the black walnut, |
and that in few years its rich tints |
and whorls will be priced in all cabinet |
work and be a valued feature in the in |
side finish of houses. Of course large
of the body timbers will be
in less noble ways, but such
will also receive additional
value by its association with the finer
parts of the tree.
1t is time for lumbermen to begin
culling and saving for these delicate
purposes, for fashion once established
in the direction of these uses will call
rapidly for all that can be supplied.
The farmers of Indiana are tearing
down their worm fences built of black
walnut rails. and selling the seasoned
sticks to the chairmaker for prices that
will refence their fields with pine and
paint the boards and leave a margin of
profit on the operation. 1t will not be
strange if in few years the pickets
md base of many redwood fence in
his state should bring money to help
pay off the mortgage on the land it in
closes. In the eastern lumber regions
here is no such all-around tree as the
redwood. 1t is the superior of black
walnut for every use to which that
timber is put. and has every excellence
which inheres in wood besides. For
vi these reasons our coastwise noun
tain slopes have a treasure in the red {
wood, which should make the owners
Of it very firm in their holdings and
Tery conservative in its highest priced
laws.
We are not informed as to the renew