The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-05-26
REDWOOD SUPPLY.
Sufficient in Sight for Fifty Years
TO Come.
The English Trade on the Increase-Its Prin.
ciral Uses There and E!sevhere-A
Unique Timber.

1t would, indeed, be a matter of most
serious import if after the long years con-
sumed in building up foreign trade in
redwood the supply was to show any signs
Oh giving out just when the demand had
been well established. 1t would involve
more than loss to those who have ex-
pended their time and their capital In the
business. 1t would mean a heavy loss to the
State and the world at large.
For the Californian redwood stands en-
llrely alone as distinct species. 1t is
unique. No other known species of timber
that grows begins to resemble it, its pecu-
liar characteristics being all lis own. AS
such. therefore, it could not be replaced
1t suits equally well the warm climates OF
California and Australia, and the moister
ones OF the East and of England. No
known timber is as stable in all climates
and temperatures. Once dried, it never
shrinks, never swells or warps. Put it into
water for 100 years and it is the same sound
piece Of timber still.
ITS WORLDWIDE USES.
For inside finishing work it has certainly
no known equal in the world. Indeed it is
largely on that account that the trade with
England is steadily on the increase. En-
gilsh builders are beginning to show quite a
growing preference for it i'll this connection.
and cabinet-makers find it so easily worked
and OF such great capabilities. that they too
are last making it a favorite in their trade,
Veneered redwood being now not unknown
III the manufacture OF pianos as well. For
m0luers patterns IL has special advantages
which they are not SLOW To utilize, Immense
quantities being used in this branch of car
pentery. In Australia, where the first car
goes OF that "heathenlsh redwood" were
!elt TO rot on the wharves because no
builder would deign to take il as a gift, the
consumption yearly runs into big figures.
In New York and the East the demand, If
none too big, Is steady one, shipments
round the Horn being made at regpl lar in
teryals. Its immense popularity in its
native State is 200 we'll known to be touched
on. whether for fine work or IN large-sized
tlmocrs for railroad ties, bridge work and
other purposes.
DIFFERENCE IN QUALITY.
1t Is not generally known outside of the
trade what difference exists between the
products Of the two great sources OF supply,
MendOcin0 and Humboldt counties. The
latter, owing to its naturally richer soil,
which has stimulated ana forced the grow
ing tree to supreme efforts, produces a
more porous, softer ana cOarser grained
WOOD. II Is on that account more easily
worked and recommends itself to milmen,
VINO prefer the kind that rips" up most
easily and have nothing to do with the
question Of possible durability Its very
size too, brought about as mentioned by the
richness OF the soil, enables clear boards of
greater width 10 be sawn out of Hum
Duldt than Mendoclno log-that is, as q
rule-and consequently it fetches about 81
per thousand more In the local market.
Some English buyers, on the other hand,
prefer MendOclno redwood as a finer tim
Der, while the Australian market, which
calls for clear wide boards prin cipally, is
mostly Slnnlipn from HnmI,nidt In ha
matter OF grain 1t is generally supposed
that each grain represents one years growth
OF the tree, and as the growth after the
nrSt twenty years from planting Is mnch
slower than during that period it follows
tnat the inside Is much inner than the out
side grain, sc aIcely any grain at all appear
ing as one gets closer 10 the heart.
FIFTY YEARS SUPPLY.
The prevailing opinion among millmen
seems TO be, while individual estimates vary
somewhat that there yet remains a visible
supply OF redwood enough to last, at present
rates OF cutting, for at least fifty years to
come. That Is reaSSuring to those who
have been fearful lest the reckless slaShing
that has gone on in the past would cause an
early 'pelering OUT Of the supply. With
redwood, OF course, the great trouble is the
unavoidable waste. Being more brittle,
the breakage is greater. to commence with,
in failing" the timber. Then, again, as
compared with pine. redwood log, what
with cracks aud wInd-shakes and dry rot,
Will show fully % per cent more wastage III
saving so that no comparison can well be
instituted as to the question OF the destruc-
tiou of the forests.
One thing seems clear as day, and that is
that rs II becomes necessary each year to go
farther and farther back for redwood logs,
what with the necessary building OF rail
roads and other Increased expense of trans
portatlOn, the cost of production will be so
materially enhanced as III, say, the next
ten years, to have "a market effect on lumber
values, just aS in the last ten years the price
OF logs las advanced from 81 and So to ST
and 81.