The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1920-10-01

tiiuucT ucpittlOL uluue
- to the United States
senate by the forest service of the
United States department of agricul-
ture. The development of the lumber
Industry of the region. however, has
already progressed far. Within the
last year shipments to eastern markets
nave largely increased, and points for
merly supplied by yellow pine have
been invaded up to the very boun-
daries Of the -pine-produc-
ing territory. Approximately three
and One-half times as much timber Ia
being taken from the Pacific coast for
ests as Is produced by growth. while
for timber of saw timber size the de-
p'etiOn Is nine times the growth.
Large Virgin Stands.
The commercial forest area OF the
racine coast states, the report says,
mas been reduced to approximately
N.5S6,OOO acres. "A large percentage
Of this, about 39,37O.OOO acres. is in
virgin stands" Not all of this, how.
ever. is accessible high-grade timber,
Tor there is large percentage Of rel
atively inferior and inaccessible areas.
This Is an important factor which is
usually overlooked in the considera-
ton OF the western timber supply"
Second growth of saw timber size COW
ers about $3.50, 900 acres, and smaller
second growth of 6.425, 600 acres, while
non-restocking forests cover 6,5OO,OOO
acres.
The present stand Of timber Is esti-
mated to contain about 1.141, GOO, 600
BOARD feet. OF this amount. Oregon
has total stand of nearly 494, OOO, COO.
w feet. Washington has 34,OOO, OOO,-
OOO feet. and California over $4,000
VO,OOO feet. More than one-half of
the total, or about 6S6,OOO, 900 900
board feet. occurs In the Douglas fir
belt Of western Oregon and Washing
ton. Douglas fir comprises approxi-
mately $4,000, OOO. 900 feet, and Of this
oOo,OOOOOO,OOO feet, or nearly one
fourth OF the remaining saw timber in
the United States, is in Washington
and Oregon.
cut-over Area Large.
Already there Is cut-over area Of
approximately 6,125, 900 acres. the re-
port states. OF this amount about
two-thirds is in Washington and Ore
gon, and very large percentage is
west Of the Cascades in the Douglas
hr belt. The area burned oveg annual.
~ In the three Pacific coast states Ia
FOUND BY the forest service to amount
to 100000 acres, and the loss in tim
Der to about 100000, 900 board feet.
The annual drain on the forests Of
the Pacific coast states is estimated to
be about 1880 100000 feet. accord.
ing to the report. The total annual
growth Of the forests is equivalent to
about 2,1OO.OOO.OOO board feet. Deple-
tion Of the forests, therefore. approxi-
mates three and. One-half times tho
growth, while depletion OF saw timber
- approximately nine times the
growth Of the same class OF material.
One reason for the comparatively
small amount Of growth is, Of course.
the fact that very much OF the terri.
tory Is occupied by virgin stands.
In spite Of the tremendous supplies
OF timber. in certain localities a large
proportion Of local timber has been
cut and logging operations are being
pushed back to the less accessible finn.
Der In the rougher mountain regions
the report points out '4The exhaus-
ton Of local supplies IL a vital mat
Ter to local prosperity and develop
rent. II means the cessation Of 10
- industry. the abandonment u ino-