The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1916-02-16
Lumber Conditions Improving.

| LhtifuSi NuluitIOiIo lHlPiUFIlS'
The general improvement in al
lines of business, which has been ap
parent recently, is making itself fell
in the lumber business There is, Of
course, no very sudden volume of bus
mess manifesting itself-a no sudden
boom is desired by the lumbermen-
but there is a gradual Strengthening
in tone in all departments of the lum
Der. business, especially in the yellow
pine market, which has been conspic,
uously weak for some time. This i'm.
provement is not al all universal but
1t is encouraging, in that it is confined
TO no one particular part OF the coun-
try, and is taken as an indication OF
certain better conditions in the lum-
Der market.
In the hardwood trade the feeling of
confidence continues to grow, being
very materially strengthened by the
increased volume of inquiries and bus
mess being booked. Many dealers and
manufacturers report most encour-
aging months business during January
in many instances more than was
expected-and it is generally believed
that the trend will be gradually
though slowly, upward from now on
until the spring of the year, when
the crest of the demand should be felt.
Some large contracts are being nego-
tiated for in consuming markets,
which will insure steady running for
a number of mills if booked The big
consuming factories which have for
so long held out of the market appear
now to be relaxing their attitude Of
restricted buying and are getting onto
the market with inquiries for large
sized blocks of stock. Operations at
the mills are for the most part pro
ceeding steadily now, those mills
which shut down at the first of the
year for repairs having resumed OPP
erations. Plain and quartcred oak are
continuing to move well, and the de-
mand for ash is showing an increase
Red gum is showing the salutary eff
fects of the advertising campaign now
being waged by its manufacturers, an
increased demand being already ap-
parent. Hickory is moving rather
slowly
The general easing of money rates
and the mild weather which has been
in evidence throughout the country
have caused briskcr demand from
the retail dealers for yellow nine
building material. This is particular
ly true Of the south and middle west
Buyers are taking more stock now
than has been the case for several
weeks, and a most encouraging feature
of the trade is the fact that orders are
being placed without the pickering
over prices which has characterized
tho majority of sales Of yellow pine
for some time. No price advances arc
in evidence, but present values are
being held steadily. The railroads
are placing very little business except
for timbers and ties, but they are
sending out numerous inquiries, which
are taken as evidence of large orders
to be placed before very long.
The export trade is showing very
encouraging easing in money rates
and consequent stimulation in bust
ness in all lines. Many of the mills
WHICH have not recently been doing
their usual export business say that
more orders are now being received
from abroad, and that the volume OF
this business is increasing daily. There
are, however, rather heavy stocks on
hand at some of the foreign ports,
which will, of course, have to be re-
duccd before the improvement in ex-
port conditions becomes very gcaer
al or permanent.