The Washington herald., 1909-08-01
LUMBER GOES HIGHER
Outlook for Yellow Pine Is
Decidedly Favorable.
NOT DEPENDENT UPON CROPS
Southern Lumberman OF the Opin-
ION that Natural Demand I'm Larger
BILE for Raise-Thinks Prices VIII
Improve in the Fall.

ANAA+ AtAF oNNAAi4NlA lsNuANtlAAAAls
Reports from the yellow pine field indl-
cate that the Improvement in demand
which became noticeable about a month
ago distinctly gains headway From
Texas mills come the most encouraging
reports, the increase OF demand there be-
ing reflected in better prices for a good
many items on the list Hardly less IA
vorable are the reports from Alabama
mills while the feeling expressed at the
recent meeting OF the Georgia and
Florida Saw Mill Association was dis
tinctly optimistic. There Is no dolJt
that the feeling Is abroad that yellow
pine prices having reached the bottom
now tend upward. that lumber between
now and fall cannot possibly be pur-
chased at any recession. and that in the
fan is likely 10 come a two or three
dollar advance
There IS no considerable volume OF buy
ing as yet for the fall trade. but there
has ceased TO be a holding up of orders
for stock needed until every mill man in
the business can be heard from on prices
Buying by the retailers against the ex-
pected fall demand will not be felt in any
marked degree for a month The re-
taller. especially the retailer in the North
west, Is prone at this season 70 keep one
eye on the weather and the other on
growing crops. So far he has not been
able 10 sec anything entirely favorable
with either eye.
Crops Hurt by weather.
While nothing approaching a serious
menace Of the crop prospect has de-
veloped growth Of all the main crops has
been retarded by unsettled weather. In
some sections there has been too much
rain and in others not enough. and in
the one place there is no assurance OF the
ming. The average conditions Of growing
crops reported for July l was not up 70
that Of year ago. but a little better
than the ten-year average.
Throughout the Northwest the wheat
crop will be fully as large as last year
but not up 10 what il ought to be in view
Of the high prices and the increased
acreage. The corn crop in the Northwest
and West Will be large. possibly ap-
preaching a bumper crop.
In the South crop prospects have been
various. The boil weevil in the South
west IS az work on the cotton crop. too
little rain in Texas has hurt wheat. corn.
and hay, while too much rain in the
southeast of the Mississippi River has
seriously interfered with all farming
operations. Particularly has thrashing
throughout much OF the winter wheat
belt been interfered with, as has also the
harvesting Of hay crop.
It is obvious. therefore. that nothing In
crop prospect has stimulated buying. The
rise in the general volume Of business Of
the country has called for a little more
lumber each month than during the
month before. and building operations
have continued unabated. The improve
ment In yellow pine buying Is almost
solely attributable to the feeling about
prices. That they will not be lower Is
nearly a certainty Whether they Will
go much higher viii depend upon the
production Along the line Of production
the reports are not altogether favorable.
Mills Resume In Texns.
From Texas It is reported that a num-
Der OF mills that have been shut down
are getting ready TO resume and that
some mills are figuring on putting in a
night run. We have exhausted every
argument to discourage any increase of
production. but 70 certain extent il is
a factor TO be figured on. There are mills
so situated that they must needs market
every foot Of lumber that can be
marketed, and mills have been shut down
as long as they can be without very serl-
GUS financial results.
In the hardwood trade conditions are
favorable The volume OF business is
fairly up to what could reasonably be
expected for the midsummer months OF
year Ike tle present. Dry stocks are
scarce and many manufacturers have
been brought within recent weeks 10 re-
gret sales made earlier in the season.
number of them are working out such
contracts, but few OF them are entering
into any new contracts. Prices for many
Of the leading woods are as high as they
have ever been, and 1t is difficult to be-
lieve but that some further advance is
q probable development Of the fall
Excessive rain throughout much OF the
field Of hardwood production has re-
tarded logging and mill operations. and
stocks have decreased rather than in
creased. The hardwood trade will so
into the fall with short stocks and firm
prices. If the present demand is very
much augmented there win develop a
scramble for some OF the items in oak
and poplar.