Evening star., 1899-02-03
MICHIGAN LOG CUTTING.
Closing of Mills Followed by Activity
in the Woods.
FROM the Chicago Record.

From the Chicago Record.
All authorities seem to agree that the
year 1S9S has been phenomenal in lumber
circles The season mas closed two weeks
earlier than 1t ordinarily does, but every
indication points to an early opening of the
spring trade.
The closing of operations at the mills in
the northern pine territory has been fol-
lowed by activity in the woods Thus far
the weather has been favorable to logging
operations, and in many sections hauling
has begun. Although number of individ-
uaI operators are preparing for larger
cut than usual, owing to the small quantity
OF logs held over and the high prices at
which lumber has been selling, II is not
believed likely even under the most favor
able conditions. that the log crop this winter
will be abnOrmally large. In many of the
older districts Lack of lumber Will restrict
the output. and the increase in districts
where timber is more plentiful will not off
set this.
The season closes with white pine prices
remarka bly, firm. and manufacturers gener-
ally have no doubt that these prices will be
maintained throughout the winter season.
The reason for this belief is that stocks at
the principal distributing points are not at
all heavy. While considerable stock Will be
carried over the winter at leading lake
ports. Il marked scarcity is reported at
number of places.
In the northern hardwood section condi-
tons are more favorable for logging, and it
ID expected that at these places the input of
logs this winter Will be quite heavy Dry
stock however, is very scarce, even at
these points. and 1t is not believed that
there can be a surplus in any of these
grades for several months The fact that a
large part Of the output for next season al
ready mas been contracted is a marked fea-
tJre Of the situation, this general anxiety
the part of the buyers TO place orders
frr future delivery and TO contract the mill
output being accepted as evidence that they
expect firm market next year.
Northern birch as furniture and finish
ing wood is making a rapid advance. prom
l. lnE d Il perm3 Y ut place among the hard
woods Manufacturers generally agree that
birch has been sold more readily. and in
large quantities. this year than ever be-
fcre, All available stocks practically having
been closed out. The growing use of ma
hOGlny in the manufacture of furniture and
for interior finish has created a demand for
a cheaper wood which will finish 10 resem-
he mahogany Birch is admirably ADAPTED
10 this purpose, and in giving II the ma
hagauy finish the color is made uniform
thus Obiiterating the distinction between
dark and light birch, whereas a few wears
ago buyers generally demanded red birch
with possibly very small percentage of
white. while the nearly all white was rarely
called for.
The state land commissioner has made
several very heavy sales Of hardwood tim
her in the last month; in fact these sales
have exceeded those OF all the rest of the
year. It is reported that private tracts in
the upper counties OF the lower peninsula
are selling rapidly.
Gordon Murray, for fourteen years prom
inent IN the management Of the affairs of
the Metropolitan Lumber Company. makes
some rather gloomy predictions as 10 the
future of the lumber industry in the upper
peninsula. He expresses the belief that the
heaviest owners Of pine will see the end