The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1893-04-13
Hemlock Is
Valuable Wood.

western Lumberman is is published as
1t is Of interest to owners Of timber in
this section where hemlock has been
looked upon as of little value. 1t shows
that the time is not far distant when
this wood may be considered as valu
able Is the fir that is now so much in
demand. Those who have forests Of
hemlock will probably do we'll to keep
till called for. There are many here
who can testify to the value Of hem
lock as a building material, and es-
pecially rs to its durability for floor
ing:
Evidences are accumulated that hem
lock is to be a greater dependence, In
the line Of framing dimensions, in the
centeral west this season than ever be-
fore. One leading wholesale dealer in
this city remarks that the trade must
resort to hemlock more extensively
than heretofore. for the simple reason
that there is not a sufficient supply OF
pine. He might have added that pine
has COME to be too costly for framing
purposes. Hemlock, though having
during the past year advanced In value
In ratio with white and Norway pine,
still sells at prices $3.50 to 50 a thou
sand below the prices Of pine. This is
an important factor in the increasing
use Of hemlock. 1t has been hard work
TO push the once despised wood into
recognition among western consumers,
but a good start has been made, and
hereafter dealers will have less trouble
and carpenters to take hold of 1t. Hem
lock makes excellent scantling, joists
and timber, and there Is really no rea-
son why 1t should not be largely used.
exceedingly narrow, dealers finding 1t
almost impossible to buy so that they
a secure q handling bill in 1t. The
tendency Is to convert all possible pine
logs into boards, strips and thick fac
tory stock. The growing Eastern de-
mand has intensified this condition.
The rapidly increasing demand for
framing stuff In the larger CITIES has
outgrown the pine supply. Hemlock
comes In as a relief. Stumpage of that
kind, which q short time ago was con-
worthless, has acquired n val
ue. Owners OF such timber, who a few
years ago regarded 1t as simply a cum
berer of the ground, are now husband
Ing such resources. The lumber bust
ness OF Michigan and Wisconsin will be
prolonged by the cutting and
marketing Of hemlock. Pennsylvania q,
will also help in the western supply. :
Considerable hemlock from that state is
In this city. II 1t can be q
to this point, 1t can be distrib-
tied to other portions of the old North
western states, AT least those east of =
he Mississippi river. The result will .
De a notable strengthening Of the hem
ock market In Pennsylvania.
1t will be interesting to watch the )
Of growth in the hemlock trade G
the West in the northern |
market for yellow pine. A year ago
t looked as II yellow pine would soon :
become a powerful competitor In the \
dimension line with white and Norway
pine; that II might crowd the latter to
he wall, In fact, throughout the great
# portion of the d~istributive field. But
Is likely to check this tenden- '
~. Southern pine will grow In demand,
timbers and joists, where strength !
8 an important requisite. but for or y
linary use In the smaller and less
structures, hemlock will I'LL the
ill, because 1t is sufficiently strong for
purpose, and can be sold much
heaper than yellow pine. 1t also has
advantage OF a short haul, and }
1uch OF 1t can be carried to market by y
!
1t will also be interesting to observe =
he effect OF the growing competition
{ hemlock on white and Norway pine RI
alues, especially the last named. 1t 81
likely that pine dimensions will have S
, come down from the altitude It has
during the past year or more,
his would be the natural result should u
dull year for demand succeed the u
rgent requirement that has recently Y
levailed, largely on account Of pre- 1
arations for the Worlds Fair. Some =
ffset to this probable condition will be ?
x~perienced by the growing general It, u
ulrement for inch lumber. which now
to dominate In all the markets. c,
nd will thus continue IS the stump of
supply In the older sections of the be
ne states shall diminish. d