The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1908-01-31
THE DRAIN UPON THE FORESTS
They Are Being Cut Three Times
As Fast As They Grow.


Since IS8othe sources OF lumber supply
have undergone remarkable changes.
The first change was 10 the regions from
which, the principal kinds of lumber were
procured, end this was followed-by the
substitution Of other kinds of wood ia
their places Neither the centers of the
lumber industry nor the leading classes
Of woods are the same as they were twenty
five years ago. In 1880 nine States
Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, New
York, Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi,
Louisiana, and Wasbington-produced
s1.8 per cent, or more than half of the
total lumber production of the United
States. In 1905 these States produced
sI.s per cent, practically the same pro-
portion. but the changes which have
taken place in the output o. individual
States are very striking. Michigan, for
instance, cut 20 per cent of the total in
1880 and but S per cent in 1896; Louis
lana cui per cent of the total IN 1850
and i S per cent in 1906; Washington fur,
nished but o 9 per cent Of the lumber pro
duc,ion of 1880 and II S per cent OF that
of 1905. The cutting out of the virgin
timber in The North and East has been
followed by increased drains upon the
]. forest resources OF the South aud West.
Despite these conditions the amount OF
timber required has increased year by
wear. The increase in consumption OF
timber since 1880 has been more rapid
than the increase Of the population, and
greater than in any similar period in the
history Of the country. This shows IN a
striking manner how much the nation de-
ponds upon forest products, and indicates
how greatly all interests must suffer as
lumber becomes scarcer and dearer.
Statistics gathered by the Bureau ofthe
Census and the Forest Service show that
the quantities of timber used last year for
lumber. shingles, ties. pulpwooi, cooper
age stock, miae timber. lath. distillation,
veneer. poles, tanning. and turpentine
and rosin, expressed 10 board feet, reach
total Of approximately SO billion board
feet
While these drains upon the forest are
known with reasonable certa nty. there
are others of which there is no record.
These are the demand for posts, fuel, and
domestic purposes. regarding which It is
more difficult 10 obtain information, be
cause the products often pass through no
ma, ket, but are consumed on the farm
where they were produced. Careful est
mates. however. place the total OF WOOD
used for fuel alone at an equivalent OF so
billion hoard feet year.
II will be seen. then. that the present
consumption Of wood in all forms IS above
100 billion board feet annually. Esti
mating the forest area of the United
States at 500 to 700 million acres,
and the annual growth at 90 hoard feet
per acre, The yearly increase in FROM 80
TO az billion feet At this rate, the an
nnal growth barely equals the amount
consumed for lumber alone. Consider
ing all the drains. the annual consump'
ton Of wood is probably three times the
annual growth. Detailed estimates OF
standing timber range FROM 1900 TO a,ooo
billion feet Using the larger figures, and
considering the annual growth OF 30
billion feet, it appears that there IS no
more than thirty three years supply OF
timber in this country at thespresent rate
Of consumption.
At present only about 20 per cent Of
our total forest area is in State or National
Forests, the remaining being unreserved
public lands or in private hands, The
forest area is amply sufficient, if rightly
managed. to produce eventually enough
timber TO supply all our needs. Yet pri-
vate owners, as well as the State and
National Government. must use theil
forest lands in right way if we are &c
maintain our timber supply
Circular I2o just issued by the Forest
Service, contains discussion ofthe drains
! upon the forest and the sources and the
/ duration Of the timber supply. This pub
| location will be sent free upon application
to the Forest, U. S. Departmental Agri
culture, Washington, d G..