The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-12
LOGGING NOW OVER
Season Three Weeks Shorter Than
Expected.
WEATHER HELPS WHITE PINE
Open Market on Cooperage Is Dull
and FeatureIess-Hardw
Held Firm.

Practically the logging season is now ended,
and from the best estimates that can be OBJ
tanned the total input of logs in this section
will be fully % per centu nder estimates made
early in the winter THIS is due to the early
spring and the close OF the hauling season
three weeks earlier than was expected: rms
shortage in logs is almost certain to have an
Influence ON white pine lumber prices in the
very near future. Some manufacturers who
have considered the matter from every stand
point are in favor of putting these advances
in Immediate effect believing that they are
warranted by the log shortage. but the more
conservative manufacturers are inclined TO
await developments in the situation.
The continued mild weather the past week
has had good inhuence on the lumber trade,
and reports from retailers in various parts OF
the northwest indicate a heavy demand
Farmers who had planned additions to their
farm buildings are heavy buyers at present,
and in the cities the spring building activity
has commenced. Owing to the large volume
OF. business coming to country retailers, tue
latter have not been buying as freely as they
were q week ago. and movement from this
market may suffer diminution for short
time These dealers will be in the market
again in a short time, and must buy heavily,
owing to the fact their stocks are being con-
siderably reduced. Consumption of lumber is
very heavy and is not suffering in conse-
year against last.
There continues to be a shortage in the
principal dimension specifications. and also in
No. boards and better, including finish lum-
-ber Lath are in short supply and some
grades Of siding are almost unobtalnaDle
Values are held very firm on all descriptions
and there is no weakness in the list any
where. One local mill will start saving OPP
erations Monday, but this will not relieve the
situation materially. 1t will probably be a
fortnight before the regular local saving sea-
son commences, and if consumption continues
as active at present the famine in lumber
will be more pronounced at the end Of that
period than it is to-day. r..
Hardwood Lumber Firm.
The log shortage applies with greater force
TO hardwood than to white pine. From rel-
able information obtained from northern and
central Wisconsin, the input Of hardwood logs
will be 30 to 40 per cent under estimates, and
this will have a material effect on the price
situation. Some manufacturers are holding
for higher prices already rs a consequence Of
the log shortage, and others will undoubtedly
advance prices within short time
White Cedar Is Active.
Demand for posts has greatly increased
since the warm weather, and dealers are now
purchasing freely for the spring trade. Four
and tive-inch rounds are scarce and some
local dealers are refusing to name quotations,
owing to inability to procure them Reports
from the woods indicate a shortage of logs in
this description, as we'll as i'll other white
cedar products. Short poles are in good de-
mand with supply limited. Shingles are
steady at quotations.
CoOperaEe Market Is Active.
Conditions in the oooperage market are on
steady basis. Prospects Of 4 heavy demand
for barrels have resulted in coopers filing
their warehouses with made-up stock, and
shops are working on fair time. Receipts
are mostly on contracts, and the open mar
ket is quiet and featureless. p