Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-06-30
CONSUMPTION
OF WOOD BY THE
MANUFACTURES
Takes rs Billion of the 45 Billion
Feet Cut-Great Varie-
ty of Woods
Used

Washington, June 25.-Statistics have
been compiled by the forest service
which show for the first time precisely
how the lunaber produced in the country
is utilized. About 45,o0O. 100000 feet OF
lumber of all kinds is the annual pro-
duction in the United States; Of this
nearly 25.O00, 100000 feet. board measure.
are further manufactured, the other por-
ton remaining for rough construction
lumber and for similar purposes. This
is exclusive of material which reaches
its final use in the form of fuel. railroad
ties, posts. poles, pulpwood, cooperase,
wood distillates, and the banks and ex-
tracts demanded by the tanning indus
try.
The work of collecting and compiling
the figures extended over considerable
period and was carried out State by
State; but as one full year was made the
basis of statistics in each state the to-
tai is fair average of the use of ium-
Der in further manufacture in the whole
country, Between 80 and 60 per cent. of
the lumber produced is subject to fur
Their manufacture. In preparing the fig-
ures in this way. however, 1t should be
remembered that considerable material
reaches shops and factories In the form
of logs, bolts. and billets without having
passed through sawmIlls. and while this
material is included in these statistics
this fact should be remembered in COM
pairing statistics with those of lumber
production.
Nearly or quite 100 different woods are
used in this country under their own
names, while an unknown number find
their way to shops and factories with
out being identified or separately listed.
except under general names. In quantity
the softwoods. the needle-leaf or confer
Gus trees, are most important, but there
is greater number of species among
the hardwoods, or broadleaf trees. yell
low pine comes first with more than s.
900. 100000 feet, followed by white pine
with 1900. 900 900. and Douglas fir with
a little more than 1900, 100000. 1t should
be understood, however. that the term
yellow pine" includes several species
the three most important of which are
longleaf shortIeaf and loblolly. Oak,
Including all species. has nearly 1000
10000 feet, and is the most important
hardwood. Maple comes next
Dogwood comes about halfway down
the list with more than 1000, 00O0 900 board
feet, and of those species mentioned
Turkish lockwood comes last. with less
than $4,000 feet followed by many
others 100 inhignificant TO list but max
ing total of all kinds of more than L.
100000 feet. OF the native species, laurel,
holly and yucca fail very near the foot
OF the list in relative quantities used.
Fifty-five principal Industries use wood
as raw material. Their relative import
ance is hard to indicate, because guam
tity alone is not in all cases criterion OF
value of an industry to the community
in which it Is situated. nor to the
country as a whole.
More than one-haf OF the total con-
sumption consists of planning mill prod
ucts, the largest items of which are
flooring. siding, ceiling, and finishing.
The next industry. in point of quantity
Of wood used. is the manufacture Of
boxes and crates. Nearly four times as
much wood is demanded by makers Of