The Ketchikan miner., 1908-02-08

Louisiana, and Washington-p produced 52. s per cent, or more than half of the total lumber production of the United States. In 1906 these States produced 5l.5 per cent, practically the same proportion, but the changes which have taken place in the output of in- dividual States are very striking. Michigan, for instance, cut B per cent of the total in 1880 and but 5.6 per cent in 1906: Louisiana cut 0. per cent of the total in 1880 and 7.5 per cent in 1906; Washington furnished but O. per cent of the lumber produc- tion of 1880 and ll.5 per cent of that of 1906. The cutting out of the vir- gin timber in the North and East has heen followed by increased drains upon the forest resources of the South and West.
 Despite these conditions the amount of timber required has increased year hy year. The increase in consumption of timber since 1880 has been more rapid than the increase of the popula- tion, 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 greatly all interests must suffer as lumber be- comes scarcer and dearer.
 Statistics gathered by the Bureau of the Census and the Forest Service shows that the quantities of timber used last year for lumber, shingles, ties, pulpwood, cooperage stock. mine tmbers, lath, distlation, veneer, poles, tanning, and turpentine and rosin, expressed in board feet, reach q total of approximately 50 bi'lion board feet.
 While these drains upon the forest are known with reasonable certainty, there are others of which there is no record. These are the demand fer posts, fuel, and domestic purposes, regarding which it is more difficult to obtain information, because the pro- ducts often pass through no marke". but are consumed on the farm where they were produced. Careful esti- mates, however, place the total oi wood used for fuel alone at an equvia- lent of 50 billion board feet year.
 It will be seen, then, that the pres ent consumption of wood in all forms is above 100 billion board feet annual ly. Estimating the forest area of the l. United States at from 800 to 700 mil- lion acres and the annual growth at 60 board feet per acre. the yearly in- crease is from 30 to 42 billion feet. At this rate, the annual growth bare ly equals the amount consumed fol lumber alone. Considering all the drains, the annual consumption ol wood is probably three times tire an- nual growth. Detailed estimates ol standing timber range from l 100 to ,, 000 billion feet. Using the larger figure, and considering the annual growth of 40 billion feet. it appears that there is not more than thirty three years supply Of timber in this country at the present rate of con- sumption.
 At present only about p per cent oi our total forest area is in State or Nat ional Forests, the remainder be- ing unreserved public lands or in private hands. The forest area is amply sufficient. if rightly managed, to prodcue eventually enough timber to supply all our needs. Yet private owners. as well as the State and Ma tonal Governments, must use their forest lands in right way if we ale to maintain our timber supply.
 Circular 129, just issued by the Forest Service, contains discussion of the drains upon the forests and the sources and the duration of the timber supply This publication will be sent free upon application to the Forester, U. s. Department of Agriculture, Washington. D. c.