The San Francisco call., 1908-03-22
MEXICO'S TIMBER
AREA IS IMMENSE
Late Estimate Places Forests
at From zO,OOO,OOO TO
25,0O0,OOO Acres
Best Stumpage in Republic Far
From Transportation, But
Roads Are Building

9
Washington covering the timber area
and the lumber industry OF Mexico:
1t is conservatively estimated that
the area OF first class timber in Mexico
comprises from 20.000.000 to 25.000.000
acres The heaviest stumpage OF pine
and oak are found in the states of Chi
huahua, Durango. Jalisco. Michoacan
and Guerrero, and the standing forests
in these states compare favorably with
similar timber in the United States and
Canada as regards quality diameter
and extreme length of clear body. The
best timber is still more or less remote
from transportation. but projected rail-
way extensions are constantly being
carried out. which will furnish facilities
for moving this. one OF the great re-
sources Of the Mexican republic.
The white and red oaks of Mexico
comprise six species. including the
roble' oak. very superior grade,
which is claimed to have no peer as re-
CARDS finish. Others show a superior
quarter. also a fine grain. with thin
sap and will receive splendid finish, As
evidence OF the indestructible character
OF hard woods, am told that oak posts
| after period of 80 years standing in
the ground show comparatively sound
texture. and that railway ties employed
In the higher attitudes remain good
without treatment for from 10 to 20
years.
Mexican pine comprises six species.
these being as follows: White. sugar
and bastard white; two frs. white and
red; and small percentage Of yellow.
am informed that it has been authori-
tatively established that the first three
mentioned pines. also the white or ball
sam FIR. can be effectively worked on g.
the. 1lississippis Valley association
grades, weighing about two pounds to-
the square foot The weight of thea
baisam fir and bastard pine when dry~
ho h fa,-A wr~f1I a.
exceed two and a quarter pounds to
the square foot. The large percentagar=
of clear or factory stock found In the
timbeTs renders these varieties espe-
eially desirable for sash and door pure
poses
RARE HARDwooDs -
There are also in. Mexico some 25 va
rieties of hard woods not known to the
lumber markets OF the world. some OF
which. 1t is stated. might easily be
classed with other precious hard woods-t
Mexico's mahogany and cedar rating is
already established in New York mar
kets. The largest bodies of these fine
timbers. or tropical hard woods. are to-
be found in the gulf states, or, more
definitely. on the gulf of Mexico side
of the isthmus Of Tehauntepec in the
states OF Veracruz and Tabasco- Among
, the chief of these valuable woods may
be mentioned. with a brief resume OF
lowing: The zapote Nancy resembles
walnut in appearance. Is of dark Gin
| namon brown color. has about the same~
grain mahogany. and is capable OF a
very high polish
l. Zapote chico, OF the same family as
the zapote Nancy, is practically one
of the most valuable woods grown in
the tropics. The trees grow TO great
size. the length OF clear body being
often so feet. and in sections Of tropical.
Mexico are very plentiful. The sap,
which Is the chicle OF commerce, Is
gathered IN very much the same man
ner as the rubber sap The business
of producing this chicle has become
large and prosperous one in Mexico.
The direct inportations Of chicle to the
United States from Mexico for the three
fiscal years. 1904. 1905 and 1906. were
s46S.021. s463.090 and s3S4.0S4. while
the additional. and indirect American
imports of Mexican chicle gum via Can
ada for the three years In question were
s6ss.476. $747.572 and ssS1.247. The total
expectations OF chicle from Mexico, In
metric tons. value not stated, for the
same years, were 1850. 1855 and 2.1S2.
of which practically all went to the
United States direct or Indirect
The wood of this zapote tree is OF a
clear. deep reddish-brown color. very
hard. but easily worked until thorough
ly seasoned. when only the finest edged
The fiber is of such density that the
woods sinks rapidly in water. Zapote--
door frames in. the historic ruins Of.
the tropics of Mexico are almost as
perfect today as when frst placed in
position. The wood is susceptible of a. =
beautiful finish and is valuable for fur
niture. From various tests OF driven
pf1ing for both railway and port con-
struction it has been found that the
chico zapote bears the test Of much
longer period Of endurance than oak
The sea worms will not attack II. and
| for withstanding the effects OF either
salt or fresh water. mud. wet or arid
soil, 1t appears comparatively fnde-s1
structible.
TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT -
Zapotiilo colorado is another OF the
same family. This tree Is often three
feet in diameter and usually yields so
feet Of trunk without knots. The grain
Is very close. light In color. and takes
a fine polish Zapotillo blanco is q
beautiful white wood with yellowish
tinge of even color. and very desirable
for inside house finishing.
The palo maria. with trunk from
so to 100 feet long and clear OF knots. :
closely resembles mahogany in COLOR.
grain and weight =,
One of the best known woods Of.
Mexico is red cedar. This wood. even IN
color and of fine grain. Is extensively
used for lead pencils and cigar boxes
One Of the most promising of the un-
developed Mexican woods il the grana-
dflla. a kind OF rosewood in appearance
equal TO mahogany. color rich reddish
brown with darker wave line mark
ings-
beautifully and curiously marked
wood Is the gaIeado- The color Is yell
low. with heavy Irregular markings OF
seal brown, close grain ard very heavy.
Maccaya-much like hickory and used
by the Indians for wagon work-cora-
lilo, guapage. huisch. jfcoco. cork
wood OF which there Is q large amount
IN the tropics. ngrum vitae. and others
| OF value might be mentioned
ANIMALS LACK MORAL FEELING
profa~sor Schuster asserts that ami