Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1908-01-30
THE DRAIN UPON THE FORESTS
They Are Being Cut Three Times as
Fast as They Grow,

Since 1880 the sources of lImber
supply have undergone remarkable
changes. The first change was IN
the region from which the principal
kinds of humber we're procured, and
this was followed by the substitution
of other kinds Of wood in their
places. Neither the oenters OF the
lumber industry nor the leading
classes OF woods are the same rs
they we're % years ago. In 1880
nine states-Mlchigan Pennsylvania
WISCONSIN, New York, Texas, Arkan-
sas, Mississippi, Louisiana and Wash.
ington-produced 52.S per cent, or
more than half of the total lumber
production OF the United States. In
1906 these states produced 51.5 per
cent, practically the same proper
tion, but the changes which have
taken place in the output of individ-
aal states are very striking. Michi.
gan, for instance, cut 23 per cent OF
the total in 1850 and but Sc per
cent in 1906; Louisiana cut 0.7 per
cent OF the total in 1880 and but Sc
per cent in 1906; Washington fur.
nlshed but 0.9 per cent OF the lum-
Der production OF 1880 and 11.5 per
cent OF that OF 1906. The cutting
out OF the virgin timber in the north
and east has been followed by in
creased drains upon the forest re-
sources OF the south and west.
Despite these conditions the
amount OF timber required has in-
creased year by year The increase
in consumption OF timber since 1850
has been more rapid than the in
crease 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 depends upon forest products,
and indicates how greately all inter-
ests must suffer as lumber becomes
scarcer and dearer.
Statistics gathered by the bureau
OF the census and the forests service
show that the quantities OF timber
used last year for lumber, shingles,
ties, pulpwood, cooperage stock, mine
timbers. lath. distillation, veneer,
poles. tanning. and turpentine and
rosin, expressed In board feetfi reach
a total OF approximately so billion
board feet.
While these drains upon the for
est are known with reasonable Ger.
tainty. ther are others OF which there
Is no record. These are the demand
for posts. fuel, and domestic pur.
poses. regarding which II Is more
dificult TO obtain information, be-
cause the products often pass
through no market. but are con.
sumcd on tho farm where they were
produced. Careful estimates, how
ever. place the total of wood used |
for fuel alone az an equivalent OF so
billion board feet year.
IL will be seen. then that the pres
ent consumption OF wood in all forms
Is about 100 billion board feet an.
nually. Estimating the forest area
OF the United States from 500 to 700
million acres, and the annual growth
al 80 board feet per acre, the year.
~ increase Is from 80 to AZ billion
feet. AZ this rate, the annual growth
barely equals the amount consumed
FOR lumber alone, Considering al
,hs drains. the annual consumption
of wood is probably three times the
annual growth Detailed estimates
n standing timber range from 1900
% goo billion feet Using the larger
igure. and considering the annual
yrowth OF 40 billion feet, it appears
hat there is not more than S5
ears supply OF timber in this coun.
~ at the present rate OF oonsump-
Ton.
At present only about % per cen,
4 olr totaa forest area Is IN state or
lational forests. the remainder be.
ng unrescryed public lands or in
'riyate hands. The forest orea Is
IMPLY SUFFICIENT, II rightly managed /,
D produce eventually enough timber
o supply an our needs. Yet private