The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-21
SOUTHERN TIMBER INTERESTS.

We have from time TO time called the atten-
ton of our Virginia landowners to the grow
inc yalue of their timber interests. All the
latest indications only confirm tho correct
ness of our previous statements. To such
point has the depletion of the timber supply
of the Northern States been carried that 1t Is
now generally admitted by all who are
familiar with the question that 1t will not De
very long before the timber industry OF IniS
country will be transferred TO the South.
The most important forest area IN the
United States since the denudatlon OF the
New England States.has been the section Oh
country lying around the great lakes, and H.
Guiding in its sweep the States OF Michigan
Minnesota and Wisconsin. From this region
il is estimated that in 1860 about l.so0.0O0'ooo
feet of lumber were obtained, but by 1889 tnis
output had risen to 6, 300, 900, 900 feet In the
course of this interval of time the region TO
which we have referred was stripped OF SO
much of its timber that at very liberal cal
culation only about 100, 600, 100000 feet are
now left. This amount, if the present rate OF
consumption is maintained, will be exhausted
in ten or fifteen years.
This condition of affairs has already been
anticipated by great number of the lumber
companies of the Northwest. Many of these
companies have bought up large tracts Of
timber-land in the South at a very small fig
ure with view of moving their plants thther
at an early day. and many have already es-
tablished saw-mills on properties which they
have purchased.
1t is estimated on the most conservative
basis that there are in the Southern States
215, 900, 600, 900 feet-of white pine alone, while
the amount of hard woods and other lumber
Is not less than $50, 0OO. 900 900 feet, the value
Of the general supply Of these various woods,
white pine included now standing in our
Southern forests being calculated to be at the
rate of so per thousand-aboutt IS 900 100000
These figures are not exaggerated. On the
contrary if anything they underestimate
rather than ogerestimate the true value of our
Southern timber interests Much of the most
valuable forests in the South lies in Virginia,
more especially in Southside Virginia.
large quantity of the land covered by these
forests in Virginia can De purchased now for
a few dollars, for a sum indeed that Is rldlcu-
lousy disproportionate to the true value OF
the timber growing upon it. In a few years
this timber will be in much more demand
than it is now: the land will necessarily rise
in value until ten times its present assessment
can be obtained for it.
There is danger now that as the timber sup
ply of the North rapidly decreases, the most
valuable timber lands of Virginia will pass in
to the hands of Northern syndicates, which
will buy up these lands at paltry figure and
hold them for purposes Of spec on. The
longer our people continue to own their for
ests the greater will be the proceeds which
they are likely to obtain from the sale of these
forests when actually brought into the mar
ket. 1t would be most lamentable if this
source of wealth should in the end add moth
ing to the fortunes of our landowners on &C
count of their inclination to make premature
disposition of this form of property.