The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-12-20


past ten years. During the year 1s0i-'02. DR..
Mohr. computes that not less than l.27o.ooo.
00o feet. board measure. were.shipped from the
pineries of Texas. Arkansas. and southern Mis-
souri, TO Northern markets. and among the CO.
niferous trees OF. eastern North America the
short-lenved pine stands next to the long
leaved pine in importance to the lumber indus
try and IN the value of its timber. "Freer
from resinous matter. softer and more easily
worked. not less susceptible of q good finish
the Timber OF the shortlcaf pine IL OFTEN pre-
ferred by the cabinotmaker and the house car
penter to that OF the loug-leaf pine. Less tena-
cious and of less power OF resistance under strain
it Is principally used for the lighter frame
work In buildings. for Misunderstanding floor
ing, ceiling, wainscoting, cases for windows and
doors. for frames and sashes OF all kinds. and for
shingles. Most of the dwellings located within
the districts whers this tree prevails are built al
most entirely of short-leaf pine lumber, which
bears ample testimony TO its wide usefulness. IL
Ia also extensively employed in car building. for
cross ties, and in the manufacture of furniture
An examination OF the numerous silvicultural
facts relating to this tree, which DIR. Mohr has
been able to bring together shows that IL 10
destined to take a prominent place In any forest
management which may he adopted In the tu-
ture In the regions ia vorable to lis growth. not
only on account OF luz Nhlue III Inb uhluThl iol-
est but as Offering better prospects to the forest
planter for the production OF timber Of high
quality In q shorter time than will DO required
by other trees TO produce material of the same
class in the southern Atlantic States"
The spruce pine Pinus Dldbrd), which Is the
least common OF pines OF the lower southern
States, is frequently confoundedb v the ii-habi
tants with the short-leaf pin. to which botanic
ally It is closely related. II never forms extern
s,ve forests, being for the most part widely scat
tered among the bread leaved everv :eens and
deciduous trees with which II is associated,
and the wood which 1t produces Is far less valu-
able than that Of the other trees described,
thou h II Is found ITO attain its fun size In the
shortest time, and produces material valuable
for many of the purposes for which the softer
and lighter kinds of timbers are used"
The general conclusions which are TO he de-
rived from Dr.. Roth's studies of the wood of
these trees are that in general the wood of all
the species is heavy for pine timber, weighing
from thirty-one to forty pounds per cubic foot
when dry: that IL is soft to moderately hard,
requiring about 1000 pounds to the square
inch To indent one.twentieth of an inch; that
1t is stiff. the modulus of elasticity being from
1900, 900 upward requiring from 1000 pounds
per square inch or more to break In bending,
and over 1000 pounds In COMPRESSION when
yard dried. These experiments, too. confirm
the fact of the intimate relation Of strength
and specifs weight in wood.
These excellent monograa hs, which must tie
ranked among the most important contribu-
lions which have been made 10 the silvicultu-
raj knowledge OF North American trees. are adj
mirablY illustrated by figures displaying the
repr, organs OF the species. photo
graphs OF different views OF Southern pine for
ssts. by maps of distribution, and by tables and
diagrams showi & the rate OF growth and 9TH
err facts connected with these trees. while the
drawing OF magniied sections display the
structure of the wood.
Mr.. -'ernow's idea, however. that these mon
ogrnphs will furnish suggestions as to the for
est management, which. modified according 10
local conditions and economic considerations,
may be employed TO secure the perpetuity Of the
Southern pineries," II is to be feared will hard
~ be realized. 1t cannot he expected that any
publication. however excellent, can educate the
ignorance or stay the recklessness which is dis
played in the needless destruction of this great
source of national wealth. The Southern piner-
les are now the property OF private individuals
or belong to firms of lumber manufacturers,
and 1t is their determination and desire to con-
vert them into money with the least posi-
BILE delay without regard to the future OF
the region. Destruction sooner or later
Is ALWAYS the fate of all forests owned by
individuals. The evil day may come sooner OF
later, as the community Is less or more intelli-
gent, but In the end 1t always comes. Nations
are the only safe forest castodians and mana
gers. and il Is one of the greatest misfortunes
that has happened to the So nth that Its unsur-
passed pineries have been allowed TO pass into
private ownership. and that the general Gov
eminent has not managed them Tor the Ter.