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State of Montana
Fifth Biennial Report
OF THE
State Forester
TO ^
Hon. Samuel V. Stewart
GOVERNOR
1917-1918
INDEPENDENT PUBLISHING CO.
HELENA, MONTANA
3 0864 1006 5214 1
State of Montana
Fifth Biennial Report
OF THE
State Forester
TO
Hon. Samuel V. Stewart
GOVERNOR
1917-1918
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
December 1, 1918.
To His Excellency,
Honorable Samuel V. Stewart,
Governor of Montana.
Dear Sir:
In accordance with the provisions of Section 10, Chap-
ter 147, Laws of 1909, I have the honor to transmit here-
with the Fifth Biennial Report of State Forester for the
years 1917 and 1918.
Also have included, through the courtesy of the Na-
tional Forest Officials, of Missoula, Montana, an ably pre-
pared contribution, entitled, "ECONOMIC USE OF THE
FORESTS OF MONTANA" by Mr. JOHN F. PRESTON,
Assistant District Forester, United States Forest Service;
District One.
Very respectfully
JOHN C. VAN HOOK,
State Forester.
STATE FORESTRY BOARD :
SIDNEY MILLER .....Register of State Lands, Chairman
CHAS. A. WHIPPLE State Land Agent
JOHN C. VAN HOOK State Forester
STATE FORESTER'S OFFICE:
JOHN C. VAN HOOK State Forester
H. L. SHERLOCK Assistant State Forester
Chas. S. Cairncross ...Field Representative
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2013
http://archive.org/details/biennialreport1918mont
TIMBER CRUISED
TIMBER CRUISED
For the two year period since my last biennial report
the Department has examined, appraised and cruised, state
lands, and timber, as follows:
Fiscal Year Land — Acres Timber — Feet
1916- 1917 24,888 69,255,000
1917- 1918 27,160 131,030,000
Totals 52,048 200,285,000
PERMITS ISSUED— (CLASS B).
This class of permits are issued for dead down timber,
for domestic purposes, in limited quantities, free of charge:
Number Amount
Fiscal Year Permits Cords
1916- 1917 151 1,510
1917- 1918 103 788
Totals 254 2,298
PERMITS ISSUED— (CLASS A)
Issued for green and dead timber, in limited quantities,
for domestic purposes, and for fire killed and damaged tim-
ber, for commercial purposes, at such prices as may be desig-
nated by the State Board of Land Commissioners:
Average
Fiscal Year Quantity Price Each
1916-1917 10,900 *Posts 1 l/3c
1916-1917 6,363 JPosts 2 l/3c
1916-1917 1,645 JPoles 2 l/3c
*(Dead) t (Green)
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
Pscal Year Quantity Average Price
1916-1917 1,881 cords (dead) 32c per cord
1916-1917 832 cords (green) 53c per cord
1916-1917 171,350 feet (green) $2.22 1/2 per M
1916- 1917 106,875 feet (dead) 1.50 per M
1917- 1918 650,000 feet (green) 1.80 per M
1917-1918 326,330 feet (dama'd) 1.00 per M
1917-1918 358,420 feet (dama'd) 2.00 per M
1917-1918 1,179 cords (dead) 40c per cord
1917-1918 95 cords (green) 60c per cord
1917-1918 3,428 posts (green) 3 l/2c each
1917-1918 900 poles (green) 4 l/3c each
1917-1918 2,105 ties (dama'ed) 5c each
Making a total of 263 (Class A Permits) issued during
the two year period, for an aggregate amount of timber, as
follows :
Feet Wood
(Board Measure) Posts Poles Cords Ties
1,612,975 21,591 2,545 3,987 2,105
TIE TIMBER
Live merchantable timber, advertised and sold under
contract :
Fiscal Year Number Price
1917-1918 25,582 No. 1 ties 10c each
1917-1918 6,544 No. 2 ties 7i/2c each
1917-1918 4,340 No. 1 ties 12c each
Total 36,466
MERCHANTABLE TIMBER
Live merchantable timber, advertised and sold under
contract.
Feet Average
Fiscal Year (Board Measure) Price
1916- 1917 6,071,620 $3.12 per M.
1917- 1918 7,236,120 3.00 per M.
1917-1918 • 62,828 3.50 per M.
1917-1918.. 4,918 3.05 per M.
1917-1918 4,000 3.75 per M.
1917-1918 1,437 4.00 per M.
Total 13,380,923 $3,062+
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
7
At the close of the fiscal year, November 30th, 1918.
There is in operation, 32 Contracts for the sale of timber, in
an estimated amount of 32,215,890 feet, and 111,000 ties, for
the aggregate sum of $110,964.00.
This evidences an increasing demand for timber.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
The receipts and expenditures for the past six years are
as follows:
Receipts :
1913 $ 4,688.44
1914 22,689.88
1915 20,079.62
1916 19,938.33
1917 20,922.97
1918 30,139.32
Expenditures :
1913 $ 8,693.02
1914 11,537.10
1915 13,481.08
1916 12,251.71
1917 24,614.95
1918 18,962.05
Expenditures in detail for the fiscal year ending Novem-
ber 30th, 1917.
General Expense:
Salary $ 7,535.00
Travel 407.00
Office :::: 551.20
Field 1,215.30
Total General Expense $ 9,708.50
Fire:
Salary (Patrolmen) Weeks Law $ 1,756.74
Transportation, Weeks Law 11.80
Regular Assessment, N. Mont. Forestry Asso 1,275.17
Special Assessment, N. Mont. Forestry Asso 3,825.51
Prorated Expense, Seely Lake Fire 702.09
Wages, Fire Fighters 4,484.04
Transportation 1,062.25
8
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
Equipment 245.20
Groceries and Supplies 1,042.63
Meals and Lodging 406.40
Telephone and Telegraph 30.90
Publicity 63.72
Total Fire Expense $14,906.45
Total Expense for the Year 1917 24,614.95
Expenditures in detail for the fiscal year ending Novem-
ber 30th, 1918.
General Expense:
Salary $ 7,337.46
Travel 593.75
Office 775.31
Field 3,439.15
Total General Expense $12,145.67
Fire:
Salary (Patrolmen) Weeks Law $ 2,830.31
Regular Assessment, N. Mont. Forestry Asso 1,786.18
Cooperative Fire Expense, Flathead Indian Reser-
vation 78.40
Prorated Share, Valley, Foster, Deep Creek, Cole-
man Fires 555.04
Wages (Fire Fighters 662.65
Groceries and Supplies 107.94
Transportation 333.18
Equipment 40.23
Telephone and Telegraph 24.11
Publicity (Printing, Distribution Fire Notices,
etc 398.34
Total Fire Expense $ 6,816.38
Total Expense for the Year 1918 18,962.05
Receipts in detail for the fiscal year ending November
30th, 1917.
Timber sold for commercial purposes $12,996.72
Timber sold for domestic purposes 741.50
Timber sold under Certificate Purchase 7,152.50
Collection made for trespass 32.25
Total Receipts for the Year 1917 $20,922.97
MONTANA
STATE
FORESTER
9
Receipts in detail for the fiscal year ending November
30th, 1918.
Live timber sold for commercial purposes $18,800.42
Fire damaged timber sold for commercial purposes 1,148.42
Timber sold for domestic purposes 1,700.06
Timber sold under Certificate of Purchase 6,883.99
Unexpended Bal. Forest Cooperative Work 311.37
Collection for trespass 10.05
Collection for timber lease 15.00
Collections made for extinguishing forest fires
originating on privately owned lands 1,087.93
Rebate for exchange mileage books 182.08
Total Receipts for the Year 1918 $30,139.32
As a matter of general public interest, the following
information is submitted:
Twenty-five per cent of the receipts of the National
Forests is devoted to the support of the Common Schools.
For the fiscal year ending June 30th, 1918, the pro-
portion to which Montana is entitled, is as follows:
National Forests Amount
Absaroka $ 2,232.59
Beartooth 3,472.88
Beaverhead 7,989.60
Bitter Root 5,633.12
Blackfeet 1,182.62
Cabinet 1,129.45
Custer 3,882.66
Deer Lodge 6,655.18
Flathead 9,608.00
Gallatin 1,874.48
Helena 5,225.72
Jefferson , 5,686.86
Kootenai 1,504.66
Lewis and Clark 1,324.73
Lolo 5,028.70
Madison 8,112.10
Missoula 4,626.21
Sioux 1,428.00
$76,597.56
10
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
Distribution of Forest Reserve Fund, by Counties
for the Year 1918
County Amount
Beaverhead $ 8,682.55
Blaine .11
Broadwater 1,151.95
Carbon 1,615.69
Carter 1,428.00
Cascade 2 ,197.16
Chouteau 165.76
Custer 3,031.54
Deer Lodge 2,087.82
Fallon 17.38
Fergus 1,021.99
Flathead 8,277.25
Gallatin 2,892.78
Granite 3,217.31
Jefferson 3,714.16
Lewis and Clark 3,165.36
Lincoln 2,030.62
Meagher 2,465.78
Madison 6,320.60
Mineral 3,541.64
Missoula 2,882.68
Musselshell 130.64
Park 2,344.68
Phillips 157.82
Powell ...... 3,122.91
Ravalli 5,638.87
Rosebud 906.94
Sanders .00
Silver Bow 1,390.63
Stillwater 464.27
Sweet Grass 1,572.52
Teton 648.64
Wheatland 310.51
Total $76,597.56
In addition to the foregoing 25 per cent distributed to
the common school fund of the counties, 10 per cent of the
receipts from National Forests Service is devoted to road
building in the counties from which the receipts are derived.
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
11
MONTANA
Area in Square Miles
147.387
Area in Acres
94,196,480
Being the third largest state in the Union.
The whole area of the State may be roughly estimated
and classified as one-third forest, one-third grazing, and
one-third agricultural lands.
Eighteen (18) National Forest Reserves have been
created in Montana, embracing a gross acreage of 19,400,000
and a net forest area of 16,027,000 acres.
From the most reliable data now available, Montana's
present stand of living timber, of merchantable size, is esti-
mated as 58 billion board feet, log scale.
This vast body of timber is made up of the following
species in approximately the proportions given: Douglas
Fir 22 per cent; Western Yellow Pine, 21 per cent; Lodge-
pole Pine, 20 per cent; Western Larch, 11 per cent; Engle-
mann Spruce, 8 per cent; Cedar, 3 per cent; White Pine,
2 per cent; Miscellaneous, 13 per cent.
It is estimated that 29 per cent of this timber is pri-
vately owned, 4 per cent is held by the State, and the re-
maining 67 per cent is the property of the Federal Gov-
ernment.
Conservative estimates by the Forest Service indicate
that the business of lumber manufacture in Montana rep-
resents an investment of about 22 million dollars. This
great industry is second only to agriculture and mining.
With the proper handling of the forest resources, the
lumber business of Montana will always be one of its
greatest industries.
The annual cut of timber in Montana has reached a
volume of about 400,000,000 feet.
TIMBER RESOURCES
12
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
From June 30th, 1917 to June 30th, 1918, the fol-
lowing cut has been reported:
Summing up, the commercial value of the forests of the
State, in all ownerships represents an aggregate community
wealth of approximately $1,400,000,000.
To a state whose greatest resources is its agrcultural
lands, the value of such a body of timber is incalculable.
In developing the great agricultural possibilities, enormous
quantities of timber are needed for building purposes.
United States Forest Service
Indian Reservations
State and Private
Feet
82,771,000
17,000,000
250,000,000
Total
349,771,000
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
13
FOREST FIRE COOPERATION
For the protection of the forests of Montana, all in-
terests work in co-operation for the prevention and extin-
guishment of forest fires.
Under agreement with the State of Montana, and the
United States Department of Agriculture, forest fires oc-
curring within the boundaries of the National Forest Re-
serves, or within one to three miles outside of said bound-
aries, shall be extinguished by the National Forest Service,
under the jurisdiction of the Supervisors of the several
forest reserves.
The Forest Supervisor shall divide the expense of each
fire, in accordance with a pro rata basis, determined by
outlining the exterior boundaries of the area endangered
by such fire, and computing the ratio of the acreage of
lands owned or claimed by the State, the Government, and
other cooperating owners, within such endangered area,
making a full statement in duplicate of the total cost of
such fire; shall certify the amount to be paid by the State,
together with a full statement showing the total cost of
the fire, and a map showing its location, the exterior bound-
aries of the endangered area, and the holdings of the State,
the Forest Service, and cooperating owners, upon which
the prorating of the expense is based, and upon verifica-
tion, the amount is paid by the State.
Under the "WEEKS LAW" Agreement, between the
State and the Federal Government, a fire patrol system is
maintained in Montana.
The Weeks Law, by act of Congress of March the 1st,
1911, provides a fund to be expended in cooperation with
the states, for the protection of forested watersheds of
navigable streams.
The allotment to the State of Montana from said fund
has been not to exceed $3,500, provided the State would
expend a like amount. This has made available an annual
sum of $7,000 for the prevention of fires by patrol work.
Under this agreement there is now being maintained
in Montana, a patrol of twenty-one (21) men during the
summer months. These patrolmen are placed in localities
where the greatest danger from forest fires exist.
14
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
The Northern Montana Forestry Association, was or-
ganized in 1911, being a mutual association of timber own-
ers in Flathead and Lincoln Counties. An annual assess-
ment is levied for fire protection.
The area embraced within the bundaries of said asso-
ciation is 2,500,000 acres; the State of Montana being the
owner of 123,861 acres. The State is a member of the
association, and cooperates by paying its assessments, the
State Forester being a member of the Board of Directors.
The regular assessment for the current year, 1918,
is one and one-half (IV2) cents per acre. To meet emerg-
encies a special assessment may be levied. Last year, 1917,
was the worst fire season of record in Montana, necessitat-
ing a total levy of four (4) cents per acre by the associa-
tion for patrol and fire extinguishment.
For the present year, 1918, the association is employ-
ing a force of fifty-four (54) patrolmen.
Agencies such as the Northern Montana Forestry
Association, are reducing the fire risk, and seems the best
method of protecting our forests from destruction.
The affairs of the Northern Montana Forestry Asso-
ciation are ably managed by the Chief Fire Warden, Mr.
A. E. Boorman, of Kalispell, Montana. In his seventh an-
nual report he quotes from a recent publication by the
United States Forest Service: "Forest fires in the United
States have caused an average annual loss of about 70
human lives, the destruction of trees worth at the very
least $25,000,000 and the loss of stock, crops, buildings and
other improvements to the amount of many millions more,"
and adds, "This annual loss of human lives and the destruc-
tion of property valued at millions of dollars can be re-
duced to a minimum through well organized association
efforts, if properly supported by the public."
In addition to the foregoing cooperating agencies, the
State Forester, Assistant State Forester, and two Field
Representatives, as Fire Wardens; every Sheriff, Under
Sheriff, Deputy Sheriff, Game Warden, and Deputy Game
Warden, are Ex-Officio Fire Wardens. Public spirited
citizens are also appointed "Volunteer Fire Wardens," one
hundred and ninety-six (196) being so appointed last year,
valuable services being rendered by them.
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
15
Publicity of the great danger of forest fires is given
by posting notices throughout the State; also in the thea-
tres, lantern slides, depicting forest fire scenes are used.
The Montana Council of Defense, at a meeting held
June 24th, 1918, issued an order prohibiting the setting on
fire of slashings, underbrush, timber, stumps, straw, grass,
weeds, or waste matter of any kind, whether located upon
lands belonging to the State of Montana, the Government
of the United States, Railway Rights of Way, public roads,
or private property; said prohibition being for the months
of June, July, August and September, of each year, during
the continuance of the present war. The penalty for the
violation of said order is a fine not to exceed One Thousand
Dollars, or by imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed
one year, or both such fine and imprisonment.
This order has since been modified by permitting
(under rules and regulations prescribed by the county coun-
cils of defense) the burning of stubble and weeds in non-
timbered areas.
Said order further provided that all campers, shall,
before leaving camp, even temporarily, see to it that all
camp fires are completely extinguished, and the ground
around such fire saturated with water, or the ashes and
coals covered with dirt to a sufficient depth to insure the
complete extinguishment of the fire, and the safety of
adjacent timber or grass.
All agencies interested in the preservation of the for-
ests of Montana, have heartily endorsed this order, and the
results so far observed indicate a great reduction of forest
fires by reason of its prohibition for the four months'
period of the dry summer season, and it can be fairly said
that the people generally approve and welcome the protec-
tion afforded by the order.
The State Forester has for years urged the enactment
of a law defining a closed season for brush burning, and is
greatly pleased with the protection afforded by said Order
No. 9, Montana Council of Defense.
FOREST FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT
Telephone building, trail building, fire-breaks, and
lookout stations are of first importance, providing a means
16
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
of detecting, 1 ocating and promptly reaching the fire.
Quick action avoids the expense and wanton waste that fol-
lows in the wake of big fires.
The fire fighting crew should be provided with shovels,
mattock, axes, saws and water bags.
Upon reaching the fire, organize the crew, and select
a fire boss.
Attack most fires from the rear, and work along the
flanks to the head.
Clear a trail two to three feet wide around the fire
and remove from it all inflammable material to the min-
eral soil.
Do not leave a fire until it is out.
Food for the crew should be immediately arranged for,
and camp equipment when necessary.
The equipment, number of men required, method of
attack and other features is governed wholly by the loca-
tion of the fire, the character of the surrounding country,
its slope, the direction of the prevailing wind, etc.
The United States Forest Service has in operation, in
Montana, Two Thousand, Six Hundred (2,600) miles of
telephone line, which is constantly being extended, aiding
greatly in forest fire suppression.
FOREST FIRES
Owing to the extremely hot dry summer of 1917,
forest fires were the most serious in the history of Mon-
tana, requiring, at great cost, the united Effort of all
agencies engaged in their suppression and control; how-
ever, the system of cooperation and patrol employed, held
the damage done to a minimum.
The following summary is made of the agencies re-
porting for the years 1917 and 1918.
Area Burned
Agency
No. Fires
Cost
Acres
Damage
State of Montana
43
$ 14,906.45
7,576
$ 12,650
Northern Mont. For'try
Asso. 63
35,916.89
2,474
2,000
National Forest Service
1,046
428,454.00
180,902
276,000
Totals for 1917
1,152
$479,277.34
190,952
$290,650
State of Montana
35
$ 6,816.38
9,158
$ 4,775
Northern Mont. For'try
Asso. 55
14,208.71
1,931
1,000
National Forest Service
573
82,603.37
19,596
32,624
Totals for 1918
663
$103,628.46
30,685
$ 38,399
MONTANA STATE FORESTER 17
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
MONTANA STATE FORESTER 19
PROTECTION OF PROPERTY AGAINST SLASH FIRES
IN WESTERN MONTANA
Damage Caused by Uncontrolled Burning
Western Montana is distinctly a forested region. Rich
agricultural valleys are found between the mountain ranges.
An ever increasing population is converting the wild lands
into productive farms. The non-timbered farm lands were
mostly settled years ago and the homesteader of today in this
region is a stump land or a timbered land farmer. The re-
moval of the small timber, the brush, or debris left from
logging is his greatest problem. Fire is the quickest, surest
and cheapest known method of land clearing; but it is a
dangerous weapon. If not properly controlled it sweeps far
beyond the bounds of the agricultural areas and burns valu-
able timber lands.
The third most important industry in Montana is the
lumber business. The mountains of Western Montana are
clothed with valuable stands of timber, most of it on lands
entirely unsuited for agriculture. The prosperity of the
whole state depends upon keeping these lands productive for
timber. Fire, the greatest aid to the new settler, is also the
greatest menace to the forest. How can the slash fires of the
settler and the irresponsible logger be controlled, without
interfering with the legitimate use of this valuable aid?
During the five year period, 1913 to 1917 inclusive,
for which records are available, there were 4,000 fires re-
ported in the State of Montana. It is estimated that these
fires burned over 200,000 acres of land, doing damage
estimated at $480,000 and costing the State, Protective
Associations, Private Owners and the U. S. Forest Service
$700,000 to control. The State Forestry Department esti-
mates that forty per cent (40%) of all fires are caused by
BRUSH BURNING.
Fire Is an Important Agent in Clearing Land
There exists no more worthy or proper use of fire than
burning of slash to clear land. The broadcast burning of
the debris is most essential in order to prepare the land
for the plough. Unfortunately, however, the very time
when such burning can be done most successfully and
20
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
Forest Homesteads in Montana
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
21
economically is also the time of greatest danger to adjoin-
ing forest lands. During the months of June, July, August
and September, the forests are extremely dry and a slash
fire easily spreads and becomes a devastating forest fire
destroying hundreds and thousands of dollars worth of
standing timber. However, there are many periods during
this time when it is perfectly safe, with a few precautions,
to burn slash with little or no risk of damage to the forest
wealth of the State. Recognizing the great value of fire
in converting waste land into productive farms but also
recognizing that the use of fire for this purpose during
the dry season threatens other resources even more valu-
able to the people of the state, it seems obvious that some
control of slash burning is imperative.
A Method of Control
Experience in this and other northwestern states points
the remedy — a state law establishing a closed season dur-
ing the dry period during which it will be unlawful to set
fires without a permit from an officer of the state or fed-
eral government. Individuals can not be depended upon to
set fires only when it is safe and to properly safeguard the
burning. The great majority can be depended upon, of
course, as in all other matters, to handle their private
affairs with due regard to the safety and well-being of the
community. There is always a minority, however, who
either through ignorance, indifference or maliciousness, dis-
regard absolutely the property rights of others. Long ex-
perience in combating forest fires is needed in order to
determine under what conditions it is safe to burn slash and
when the risk of spread of the flames is too great to balance
the gains to the individual. The federal and state officers
who would be vested with authority to issue burning per-
mits have the experience necessary to enable them to de-
termine when and under what conditions it is safe to burn
slash. The average rancher can not be expected to know.
At least experience has shown that the present system of
uncontrolled privilege or license results in enormous losses
of forest wealth which must be stopped.
What Other States Are Doing
Montana is falling sadly behind in progressive forest
legislation. Idaho, Washington and Oregon have long since
22
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
recognized the danger and have established closed seasons
with burning only under permit. They have gone much
further than that, and provided for adequate patrol of
forest lands, compulsory burning of debris left from logging
before and after the closed season and taken other steps
which may or may not be advisable in Montana. The
closed season and permit law has been thoroughly tried and
found workable. It reduces the damage to a minimum.
Such a law is based on the fundamental principle of co-
operation between the state and the individual. The for-
estry organization, to get results, must help the farmers
clear the land, by issuing permits when conditions are right
and supervising the work to a large extent. During the
closed season, at least half and often more than half the
time, burning of slash can be accomplished effectively and
safely, but during the remaining period no reasonable man
would be willing to take the risk of destroying one of the
great natural resources.
How the Permit System Works
The State Forester in cooperation with the U. S. For-
est Service now maintains adequate administrative ma-
chinery to enforce the law and to make it serve both the
interests of the farmers and the public welfare. Scattered
over Western Montana during the dry season is a small
army of forest officers — Forest Supervisors, Forest Rang-
ers, Forest Guards, State Agents and state and federal
patrolmen. One of these officers is within easy reach of
every homesteader and farmer. It will be an easy matter
to get in touch with a local forest officer who is authorized
to issue permits. If it is safe to burn he will issue the per-
mit and specify the precautions (if any) which must be
taken to prevent the spread of the fire. There will be no
delay in reaching an authorized state agent and every forest
officer will have authority to take action directly. Mis-
takes will undoubtedly occur. Permits will be issued when
it is unsafe to burn and refused at times when it appears
perfectly safe, but mistakes will always occur where laws
must be administered by human beings. Unquestionably,
however, as already proven in other states, the net result
will be far better than unregulated burning. The farm
lands will be cleared in the most economical way and the
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
23
damage to forest property will be reduced to a minimum.
Every fire lookout in the region will be notified promptly
of every permit issued and they will recognize the smoke
as a legitimate smoke which will decrease the expense now
incurred in fruitless "smoke chasing/'
Action of State Legislature and State Council
of Defense in 1918
In February, 1918, while the State Legislature was in
extra session, the Governor asked for an adequate law to
meet the problem, and the State Forester was instrumental
in having one introduced. It was met with opposition by
a few and was regarded as of minor importance by others,
with the result that while a new law was enacted, it was
wholly adequate to meet the need. A closed season and
the permit system was not provided for in this new law.
In the summer of 1918, a prolonged dry period resulted in
an early and more critical fire situation than has been
previously known in the fire protection history of Western
Montana. With the labor shortage beginning to be felt
and the necessity for reduction to a minimum of non-pro-
ductive labor, the Montana Council of Defense realized
the seriousness of the situation and promulgated Order
No. 9, making the period July 1 to October 1 as absolute
closed season for the burning of all forest refuse. To those
who were directly connected with fire suppression work,
the result was apparent almost at once and very gratifying.
This order was a factor — one of the largest — in keeping
the fire loss and expense of 1918 from reaching a figure
far in excess of the actual total, but effective as it was
from a forest standpoint it worked a hardship on quite a
large number of farmers. On September 9, the State
Council of Defense issued Order No. 14, which provided a
permit system in connection with the closed season.
The Montana Council of Defense saw the threatened
crisis and took action to avert it. However, this is not en-
tirely a war problem but one in which the State is vitally
interested and in which it must assume the responsibility.
State Law Proposed for Consideration
of Legislature of 1919
After a careful consideration of the forest fire laws
of Washington, Oregon and Idaho with reference to Mon-
24
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
tana conditions, the followig proposed fire law for this
State has been drawn up for the consideration of the next
legislative assembly. It provides for all proper use of fire,
with only such safeguards as the interest of the whole
people demand. It is hoped that it will secure the support
of the legislature and of all patriotic citizens. It incor-
porates into law nothing which has not been thoroughly
tried and tested in neighboring states.
This is a question for the people of the whole State to
decide. Do we want to continue the present system or lack
of system of unregulated use of fire and constantly en-
danger one of the greatest natural resources in the State?
Will Montana be content to be the only state in the north-
west which has not made reasonable effort to protect its
forest property?
PROPOSED FOREST FIRE LAW
Section 1. In this act, unless the context or subject
matter otherwise requires, the word "forester" shall mean
the State Forester, or any of his subordinate officers;
"warden" shall be held to mean "Fire Warden;" "ranger"
to mean "Forest Ranger" or any duly appointed forest
officer of the U. S. Forest Service; "rangers" shall be held
to mean "Forest Rangers;" "one" shall be held to mean
"person, firm or corporation" and "forest material" shall
be held to mean "forest, slashing, stumpland, chopping,
woodland or brushland;" "camp fire" shall be held to mean
"any fire set for any purpose other than the disposal of
forest material."
Section 2. All duly appointed Forest officers of the
United States Forest Service, the Northern Montana For-
estry Association, and the U. S. Indian Service, are hereby
made ex-officio fire wardens and shall have authority to
enforce and carry out the provisions of this act. Said offi-
cers are to serve without compensation from the State.
Section 3. No one shall burn any forest material
within the State of Montana during the period from June
1 to September 30 inclusive of each year, which period is
hereby designated as the closed season, without first ob-
taining permission in writing from the forester, a warden
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
25
or a ranger, and afterward complying with the terms of
said permit; said permit shall fix the time for setting out
fires on any three consecutive days therein named, and no
fire shall be set out later than ten days from date of said
permit, and no such fires shall be set at a time when the
wind is blowing to such an extent as to cause danger of
same spreading beyond the control of the person setting
said fire, and without sufficient help and tools present at
time of setting and thereafter until out, to control the
same, and the said fire shall be watched by the person set-
ting the fire until the same is out; and any one. violating
any provisions contained in the preceding portions of this
section shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not less
than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) nor more than five
hundred dollars ($500.00), or be imprisoned in the county
jail not exceeding thirty (30) days, or by both such fine
and imprisonment.
The Forester, any of his assistants, any warden or
ranger may, at his discretion, refuse, revoke or postpone
the use of permits to burn when such action is clearly
necessary for the safety of adjacent property.
Section 4. Any person who shall upon any land within
this State set and leave any fire that shall spread or dam-
age or destroy property of any kind not his own, shall upon
conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than ten dollars
($10.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00). If
such fire be set maliciously, whether on his own or on an-
other's land, with intent to destroy property not his own,
he shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred
dollars ($100.00) nor more than one thousand dollars
($1,000.00), or imprisonment in the county jail for not less
than thirty (30) days, nor more than one year, or by both
such fine and imprisonment, and shall be liable for all
damages in a civil suit.
During the closed season, any person who shall kindle,
a camp fire on land not his own, in or dangerously near
any forest material and leave same unquenched, or who
shall be a party thereto, or who shall by throwing away
any lighted cigar, cigarette, matches or by the use of fire-
arms, or in any other manner, start a fire in forest material
not his own, and leave same unquenched, shall upon con-
26
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
viction, be fined not less than ten dollars ($10.00) nor more
than one hundred dollars ($100.00), or be imprisoned in
the county jail not exceeding sixty (60) days.
Section 5. The forester, his assistants, wardens,
rangers and all police officers are hereby empowered to
make arrests without warrant of persons violating this act.
Section 6. Whenever an arrest shall have been made
for a violation of any of the provisions of this act or when-
ever information of such violation shall have been lodged
with him, the prosecuting attorney of the county in which
the criminal act was committed, shall prosecute the offender
or offenders, with all diligence and energy. If any prose-
cuting attorney shall fail to comply with the provisions of
this section, he shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall
be punished by a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50.00)
nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00), or by im-
prisonment of not less than thirty (30) days, nor more
than one year in the county jail. The penalties of this
section shall apply to any magistrate, with proper author-
ity, who refuses or neglects to cause the arrest and prose-
cution of any person or persons when complaint under oath
of violation of any provisions of this act has been lodged
with him.
Section 7. All fines collected under this act shall be
paid into the county treasury of the county in which the
offense was committed.
Section 8. All acts or parts of acts inconsistent with
this act are hereby repealed.
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
28
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
THE WHITE-PINE BLISTER RUST
By PERLEY SPAULDING
Pathologist, Farmers Bulletin No. 742, United States
Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C.
A destructive disease of white pines known as the
white-pine blister rust has been introduced from Europe
and seriously threatens our white pines. It also attacks
the leaves of wild and cultivated currants and gooseberries
and spreads for long distances on them. Look for it on
pines in May and early June on currants and gooseberries
from June until the leaves are shed.
Danger to the Western States
The white-pine blister rust, however, also threatens
two of the most important lumber species of the western
forests, namely, sugar pine and western white pine. The
mature stand of these two is estimated to be worth $240,-
000,000. Both of these trees have been seriously attacked
by this disease in Europe. They are little grown in the
Easter States where this disease is present; hence, we
have absolutely no experience to show what the disease may
do in this country to them. Aside from the consideration
of the total valuation, these two species reproduce readily,
and the prospects are good that they will form a very im-
portant part of the future forests of their regions. Any
reforestation which may be done within their range is
likely to consist largely of these two species.
The limber pine, which is distributed throughout the
Rocky Mountain region, is known to take this disease in
Europe. It, together with the two above-mentioned pines,
would furnish a means for the spread of this disease over
the entire Pacific coast and Rocky Mountain regions.
There can be no doubt regarding the danger from this
disease if it once reached the Pacific coast or the Rocky
Mountain regions, as it has been found by experiment that
the wild currants and gooseberries of these sections are
susceptible to the disease. Conditions in the natural for-
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
29
ests are such that if the native forest once becomes infected
there is practically no hope of controlling the disease there;
hence the outlook is especially grave.
The writer has no positive evidence that the white-
pine blister rust has ever been west of Indiana. Imported
white pines of suspicious origin are known to have been
shipped as far west as Illinois and Minnesota, but not be-
yond the natural range of the eastern white pine.
The western forests are so separated from the eastern
forests by the Great Plains that the white-pine blister rust
can reach the former only through the shipment of diseased
nursery stock from the East! consequenlty, the supreme
importance of preventing such shipments. All 5-needle
pine stock should be grown from seed in the general locality
where the trees are to be planted. Each state west of the
Mississippi River should immediately enforce an absolute
prohibition of the shipment of 5-needle pines or of currants
or gooseberries from the section east of the Mississippi River.
Seed may be shipped with entire safety, so far as this dis-
ease is concerned. The importance of such State quarantines
can not be too strongly urged.
Efforts Alread Made to Control the White-Pine
Blister Rust
In Europe this disease was firmly established before
any eradication of plant diseases was attempted, and the
only effort there exerted is merely to keep it in check.
There has never been, previously, either in Europe or
America, any serious attempt to eradicate a disease of
trees of this type; that is, we have had no earlier experi-
ence with a disease of this sort by which to guide our at-
tempts at controlling this one. It was in 1909 believed
feasible to remove all of the diseased trees from an infect-
ed lot of pines during the course of two or three years by
repeated annual inspections in the spring when the fruit-
ing bodies of the parasite are most conspicuous on pines.
The work then attempted was done with this end in view.
It has become increasingly evident since that time that
such annual inspections would have to be repeated for an
indefinite period, as it has been found that the parasite
apparently may lie dormant in an infected tree for six or
more years before becoming etxernally visible. This means
30
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
that inspection is not efficient. The alternative seems to
be that of the total destruction of the entire lot of pines
known to be infected. In the work done upto the pres-
ent time, special emphasis has been given to the removal
of all wild and cultivated currants and gooseberries from
dangerous proximity to lots of pines known to be infected
with the white-pine blister rust.
It has been found, however, in these investigations
that the various State officials, who necessarily must per-
form this work, do not have power to destroy such cur-
rants and gooseberries as may seem necessary in order to
completely control this disease. The work for this reason
has been greatly hampered and in many cases has not been
carried out as it should have been. Many people have not
realized the seriousness of this trouble, and unanimous
action could not be secured. It is absolutely necessary that
the State officers have complete power to enforce such
measures as are needful for the control of this disease or
their work will fail, just as it has failed up to this time.
Present Status of the White-Pine Blister Rust
During the years 1909 to 1914, inclusive, the white-
pine blister rust has been held well in control, considering
the circumstances under which the work was carried on. In
this period eleven distinct outbreaks of this disease oc-
curred; that is, there were eleven different places where
the disease spread from pines to adjacent currants or goose-
berries. In these places the disease has been nearly or en-
tirely eradicated. In 1915 the weather conditions were so
favorable for the growth of the parasite that it spread very
readily on currants and gooseberries for relatively long
distances. In 1915 alone twelve distinct new outbreaks
occurred. The areas infected vary in extent from only a
few currant or gooseberry bushes up to a single area of
some 400 or 500 square miles. Unless very energetic
action is taken to control the disease at once, it will shortly
become impossible to do so.
Need for Adequate State Laws
As above indicated, there are a number of areas where
this disease has spread upon wild and cultivated currants
and gooseberries. It is entirely possible to stop its further
spread by the mere removal of all wild and cultivated cur-
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
31
rants and gooseberries within the infected areas. The
actual carrying out of this work is not as difficult as is
much of the work which is being done in the effort to
hinder the spread of other diseases and pests. In carry-
ing on this removal of currants and gooseberries, however,
it is absolutely necessary that unanimous action be taken
throughout the infected areas. Federal officers have no
power to destroy private property in any State. This
power is given solely to certain State officers, usually
known as State horticultural inspectors. In most cases
these State officers do not have power sufficient to com-
pel unanimous action in such removal of currants and
gooseberries. This power is one which every State should
give to her proper officer at once if this work is to be
efficiently done, and if such power is not thus given this
serious disease of white pines is certain to escape beyond
any possible control and cause irreparable damage.
Committee on the Suppression of the Pine Blister Rust
in North America: The Committee is composed of four
members from each State and Province where Five-Needle
Pines grow, and includes Foresters, Agriculturists, Horti-
culturists. Pathologists, Entomologists, Lumbermen, and
representatives of Agricultural Experiment Stations, For-
estry and Lumbermen's Associations.
The FEDERAL HORTICULTURAL BOARD of Wash-
ington, D. C, granted the above COMMITTEE a hearing
for the purpose of discussing and receiving recommenda-
tions in order to prevent the introduction of Foreign Insects
and Fungus Diseases, including the PINE BLISTER RUST.
The hearing was called for May 28th, 1918, at Wash-
ington, D. C. The meeting was attended by delegates from
the following States: Montana, Minnesota, Michigan, Wis-
consin, Massachusetts, Maryland, Delaware, Vermont, Vir-
ginia, Illinois, Alabama, New Hampshire, North Carolina,
Pennsylvania and New Jersey; other States were repre-
sented by their Congressmen; also the Nurserymen and
Importers were will represented.
I had the honor of representing our State at the con-
ference, and the discussions and matters presented im-
pressed upon me the very serious character of the problem,
32
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
particularly that of the "PINE BLISTER RUST" and the
necessity of making a strong effort to keep our Western
Forests free from this very destructive fungi.
The committee presented the matter to the Board on
the broad grounds of "Shall the Consumers and Producers
of Food and Wood be Protected from loss Caused by For-
eign Insects and Fungi." At this meeting the opinion pre-
vailed unanimously that immediate exclusion of plants
from the Orient and other little explored parts of the world
— except Japanese lily bulbs and sacred lily bulbs from
Amoy, China, be urged at this time.
It was further agreed to urge the exclusion of all
ornamental and forestry nursery stock, not heretofore
mentioned, on and after July 1, 1919, and that fruit stock
also be excluded as soon as economically practicable.
It being understood that for the purpose of securing
new varieties the Department of Agriculture should bring
in for propagation purposes such plants under such rules
and regulations as it may devise.
It is believed that the Federal Horticultural Board not
only has all the facts of the case but that it is cognizant
of the country wide public sentiment in favor of the ex-
clusion of plant materials which are liable to introduce in-
jurious pests.
Its power as well as its responsibility in this matter is
very great, and its decision will be awaited with general
interest.
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
33
A REPORT ON THE RED BELT INJURY OF FOREST
TREES OCCURRING IN THE VICINITY OF
HELENA, MONTANA
Office of Forest Pathology, Missoula, Montana,"
July 24, 1918
Several reports coming from the Helena and Deer
Lodge Forests and describing a peculiar injury to forest
trees in these regions have been received by the Office of
Forest Pathology this season. As a result of the earlier
reports, Mr. Lenthall Wyman, in charge of insect control
for District 1, investigated the Helena area, and found no
evidence to point to insects as the cause of the trouble. He
reported that the injury apparently affected the trees
within an irregularly defined strip running almost parallel
with the contours along the east side of the Continental
Divide. This and other facts led to the belief that weather
conditions may have been responsible for the damage.
Later, requests were made to this office for an examina-
tion of the areas in question and Mr. E. E. Hubert
was detailed for the work. His report of this work is here-
with submitted.
The areas inspected are principally those in the vicin-
ity of Helena, Montana, including the drainage areas near
Park Creek, Three Mile Creek, the Marysville region, Mt.
Helena and vicinity, Colorado Creek, Priest Pass region,
Rimini-Red Mountain-Lee Mountain and Jericho Mountain.
By observations the zone of injury was found to extend
along the Northern Pacific right-of-way through Austin,
Montana, up to the Continental Divide on the east slope.
On the west slope it was noted from Blossburg to a point
east of Elliston. From these observations it is apparent
that the injury is wide-spread and occurs on both sides of
the Continental Divide at least for the regions noted
Throughout these regions the injury bore the characteris-
tic banding peculiar to the red belt injury. This injury is
*James R. Weir in charge.
34
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
attributable to adverse weather conditions and has been
reported from District 1 by Hedgcock (1) and from Dis-
trict 2 by Hartley (2). Speaking of the red belt injury
(1)
Hedgcock, G. G. Winter-killing and smelter in-
jury in the forests of Montana.
Torreya 12:25-30. Feb., 1912.
(2)
Hartley, C. P. Notes on winter-killing of forest
trees. Forest club annual.
Neb. 4:39-50. 1912.
Hedgcock (1) states that "During the past three years
(1909-1911), in all, about 40,000 acres of coniferous trees
have died from its effects in Montana."
The strip of affected timber is very pronounced and
has the appearance of a rusty streak running parallel with
the valley floor and winding in and out of the depressions
along the slopes. Its width varies from a quarter to half
a mile, and scattered injured trees are more frequently
found below the lower demarkation of the zone. The trees
on the most exposed portions of the topography were the
ones most heavily affected. Slopes and ridges having
Eastern, Southeastern, Southern, and Southwestern ex-
posures were harder hit than the others. All trees within
the zone were not equally affected, nor did the injury
react uniformly upon the various species in the stand. In
the Park Creek region very few of the trees were killed
outright, but every tree in the zone bore evidence of some
degree of injury. The yellow pines at first appeared to
be the ones most seriously damaged, but thsi was after-
ward found to be otherwise. The older needles on these
trees were killed, turned brown and remained attached to
the tree. The youngest needles were affected in part and
in som cases only the tips turned brown. New needles ap-
peared in 1918 at the tips on many of the branches, giving
the tree a peculiar appearance. In contrast to this the
Douglas firs at a short distance appeared to have little or
no injury, as very little browning of needles was observed
at this time (July). Upon closer inspection it was found
that those trees suffered considerable damage. The older
needles behind the 1916 and 1917 needles were found to
MONTANA STATE FORESTER 35
have been killed and had all fallen from the branches. A
majority of the buds had been either killed outright or
were only able to produce a very few needles, these often
abortive and not able to free themselves from the bud
scales. Exposed trees and parts of trees exposed above the
general forest cover were noticeably more damaged than
those protected by their neighbors. The zone in the Park
Creek region occupied a position approximately between
5,000 and 6,000 feet elevation, and was not so distinctly
outlined as the zone in the Rimini region.
A peculiar phase of the injury was noted in the case
of young Douglas firs and yellow pines whose lower branches
came close to the ground. The lowermost branches up to
a point 2 feet from the ground were in a healthy condition
and the 1918 needles had developed normally. From in-
quiries made and from the Weather Bureau records it was
found that a 2-foot covering of snow on December 13th
preceded a rapid rise in temperature, accompanied by
chinook winds from the Southwest. The snow in this case
apparently formed a protective layer for such branches as
were imbedded in it. Many of the Douglas firs had dropped
nearly all the leaves from above a point approximately 2
feet from the ground, and some of the lowermost un-
injured branches bore several healthy normal cones. No
cones were found on the upper portion of any of the trees
on this area. Mr. Swensen, a rancher on Park Creek, stated
that during the chinook period mentioned above the snow
covering ranging from 2 to 3 feet in depth melted com-
pletely away within 18 to 20 hours. The species on this
area found affected are Douglas fir, yellow pine, lodgepole
pine, juniper and white bark pine. The latter species was
but slightly affected. Increment borings made of the first
three species given show that very little or no growth,
according to the degree of injury, is being made by the
affected trees.
This type of winter-killing shows a uniform difference
in susceptibility to injury between needles of different
ages. The greatest damage was found to occur to the
older needles. Where the damage extended to only a por-
tion of the needles and where only a few needles survived,
these were found to be the youngest. Where parts of
36
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
needles only were killed the basal portions always re-
mained healthy. These observations are similar to those
made by Hartley (2), who says, "Assuming that the cause
of death was transpiration during the sudden warm periods
indicated in the weather records quoted, it might follow
that the younger needles have a stronger pull on the water
supply than the older ones." This is undoubtedly a cor-
rect explanation and accords with the weather data for
the region covered by this report, and presented later.
The other regions visited disclosed practically the
same conditions as those given for the Park Creek area.
The Rimini-Red Mountain-Lee Mountain area suffered the
heaviest damage. Approximately 30 per cent of the trees
in the zone on this area are either dead or dying. The
species affected are lodgepole pine, yellow pine, Douglas
fir, Alpine fir, juniper and spruce. The lodgepole pine
consists of about 80 per cent of the stand, and suffered
heavily. Spruce branches in many instances were killed
outright, and entirely defoliated. A peculiar effect of the
injury upon the mistletoe infected trees was to kill the
parasitic infection. On such trees no mistletoe plants ap-
peared, although the trees were still alive and capable of
full recovery. Nearby trees below the zone and not affect-
ed by the red belt injury and infected with mistletoe bore
normal plants of the parasite.
In tracing the cause of this disorder, the U. S. Weather
Bureau at Helena furnished the meteorological data for the
region, and from these data a chart of the weather condi-
tions during the cold snap and chinook period from De-
cember 11 to 15, 1917 was furnished. This period ex-
hibited the greatest range in temperature for the entire
winter, and fits in with statements made by local residents
as to the probable cause of the red belt injury. The cold
spell commenced on December 11th, reaching a minimum
temperature of -23° at 8 A. M. on December 12th. This
cold spell, with a slight rise in temperature on December
13th, continued up to noon of December 14th. A sharp rise
in temperature reaching 44° above zero at 4 P. M. Decem-
ber 14, is recorded. This was accompanied by a warm
southwest (chinook) wind which continued almost uninter-
rupted through December 15th. During most of this time
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
37
the sky was clear, the sun adding its influence. In 56
hours a rise of 67 degrees in temperature is recorded, and
on the slopes in the vicinity of the red belt zone (Park
Creek) nearly all the snow covering melted in one and one-
half to two days. The Helena record shows only a 6-inch
reduction in the height of the snow for this period. It
is possible that this particular cold spell and chinook was
not alone responsible for the injury, as similar periods
with smaller extreme temperatures followed during the
winter. The injury may be cumulative and due to the
effects of all of these periods.
The outstanding peculiarity of the injury is the limited
area in which it occurs. Checking the observations made
during the investigation of the areas it is found that near
the heads of streams tributary to the main and larger
valleys the band is found between 6,000 and 7,000 feet.
Where the injury . occurs on the slopes near the main val-
leys the band is found at a lower elevation, between 5,000
and 6,000 feet. Apparently the zone runs parallel with the
general level of the valley floor.
Apparently, the red belt injury is caused by excessive
transpiration of the needles during the period when the
chinook winds are blowing. Usually these winds are pre-
ceded by a cold spell where the temparature drops below
zero, and the ground, the roots and the entire tree are
frozen. A sharp rise in temperature, accompanied by warm
drying winds and sunshine, rapidly thaws the needles,
causes excessive loss of water — which, due to the frozen
condition of most of the tree can not be immediately re-
placed— and eventually the needles or parts of needles most
seriously affected, turn brown or red and die. Discussing
winter-killing, Hartig (3) states "In my opinion
(3)
Hartig, R. Text book of the diseases of trees.
English edition. Pg. 290: 1894
these phenomena can only be explained by the circum-
stances that repeated thawing and accelerated transpira-
tion are induced in the leaves by the direct action of the
sun during the bright wintry weather * * *, or
by the warm south winds, as the case may be, and that the
leaves wither because they are unable to obtain any water
38
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
from the stems which have been frozen under the influ-
ence of long-continued and severe cold.,,
Mr. J. F. Preston's report of March 5, 1910, on the
effects of weather on timber in Montana, gives some very
good data on the 1908-1909 damage. Attention is drawn
to the elevation in which the red belt occurred (5,000-5,500
feet) and the statement made that the zone ran more or
less parallel with the valley floor. It is also noted that
needles protected by the snow covering were uninjured.
In closing it should be stated that samples of the dead
needles of yellow pine and Douglas fir submitted by Mr.
Wyman, when placed in damp chambers for a period of one
week developed no indications that fungi were the cause of
the damage. No signs of fungus injury were to be found
upon the affected needles of the various species examined
in the field.
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
39
FARM AND CITY TREES
Windbreaks
Value of Windbreaks. As the farming section of Mon-
tana becomes more and more settled, the need for protection
from winter winds becomes constantly more evident, and it
will only be a matter of a comparatively few years before
windbreaks will have their place on evrey ranch throughout
this region. As the trees grow they will protect dwelling
houses, barns and stock, later yielding fence posts and fire-
wood, and finally even rough lumber for building purposes.
A windbreak properly planted at this time can not fail to
add to the value of the ranch, it being well-known that a
farm having a windbreak on it always sells at a higher rate
than the same land barren of tree growth.
Before planting is commenced the following essentials
should be carefully considered:
Essentials in Planting. 1. What are the directions
from which the cold winds blow? If they come from the
North and West, the windbreaks should be placed in an
L-shape on the north and west sides of the building; if from
the South and West, place the break on these sides. In some
cases it may be advisable to plant on three sides, but it is
usually not desirable to completely surround the buildings
with trees.
2. Never place the trees closer than 100 feet from the
principal buildings, otherwise snow — which accumulates in
drifts on the inner side of the break — will tend to block up
the yard. If feasible, the windbreak may be 200 or even 300
feet from the buildings, and still afford ample shelter.
3. In order to have a windbreak which will effectually
stop the wind, it should not be less than 40 feet in width,
and may be advantageously as wide as 100 feet. The wider
it is (within limits) the greater the protective value. Its
length will depend on the number of buildings to be protected,
the ordinary length of a windbreak being 300 to 500 feet.
4. Plow the area on which the trees are to be planted,
and allow it to lie fallow or planted to a cultivated crop for
one year. This is absolutely essential under conditions pre-
vailing in Eastern Montana. Plant the trees the spring
after plowing, as soon as native vegetation starts.
40
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
QUALITIES AND USES OF THE MORE IMPORTANT
MONTANA WOODS
Western Pine (pinus ponderosa) is the chief lumber
producing tree of Montana. The wood is light and resinous,
the grain fine but often twisted, and the growth variable.
It is not especially durable when in contact with the soil,
lasting on the average about five or six years. Forest
Service strength tests made of small clear specimens cut
from trees collected in Montana gave a modulus of rupture
of 4950 pounds per square inch and crushing strength of
2370 pounds per square inch.
The tree produces an average of about 13 per cent select
grades, 12 per cent shop lumber and 75 per cent common
grades. The wood is very extensively used in the mines at
Bute and has a large variety of other uses, ranging from
the coarsest construction to the high finished product. A
large part of the total amount produced in Montana is con-
sumed within the State, but quite an amount is also shipped
out.
Western Larch (larix occidentalis) produces very nearly
as much lumber in Montana as does Western pine. The wood
is heavy, of fine growth, but is not very durable when placed
in conditions subjecting it to decay. Forest Service strength
tests of small clear specimens cut from trees collected in
Washington gave a modulus of rupture of 7250 pounds per
square inch, and a crushing strength of 3700 pounds per
square inch. The tree does not produce much select lumber,
92 per cent going into the common grades and eight per cent
into the select. The wood is used to quite an extent by the
Butte mines and also for general building and construction
purposes, for ties and for paving blocks. A considerable
quantity is shipped out of the State to the prairie states of
the Middle West.
Douglas Fir (pseudotsuga taxifolia) is one of the smaller
lumbering producing trees of Montana. The wood is con-
siderably lighter than larch but heavier than the Western
pine in the dry condition. The fir grown in Montana is
rather knotty and course grained, but is slightly more dur-
able in contact with the soil than either larch or pine. For-
est Service strength tests of small clear specimens cut from
trees collected in Wyoming gave a modulus of rupture of
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
41
6340 pounds per square inch, and a crushing strength of
2920 pounds per square inch. The tree cuts out a very small
percentage of selects, 98 per cent going to common lumber
and only 2 per cent in the select grades. In Montana, fir
and larch are graded and sold together owing to the very
small percentage of selects in each of these species. The
wood is used in the Butte mines and for general rough con-
struction purposes and ties. Most of the output is consumed
within the State.
Lodgepole Pine (pinus contorta) is one of the minor
lumber producing species of Montana. The wood is rather
light, of slow growth, and not durable when placed in condi-
tions subjecting it to decay. The Forest Service strength
tests of small clear specimens cut from trees collected in
Wyoming gave a modulus of rupture of 5170 pounds per
square inch, and a crushing strength of 2400 pounds per
square inch. Only a small percentage is manufactured into
lumber and if so manufactured yields mostly common lumber,
only 7 per cent going intp the selects, while 93 per cent goes
into common grades.
This wood is the chief source of stulls, lagging and con-
verter poles for the Butte mines where enormous quanti-
ties are consumed annually. It is also used for ties and fuel
and to a slight extent for fence posts and telephone poles.
Practically the whole output is consumed within the State.
42 FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
PROPOSED TIMBER LAND EXCHANGE
AN AGREEMENT was made and entered into the 23rd
day of December, A. D. 1912, between the Department of
Agriculture, of the United States, and the STATE OF MON-
TANA, looking toward a settlement and adjustment of all
matters relative to the unsurveyed school lands within the
National Forests in the State of Montana: This agreement
provides that all unsurveyed school sections included within
the boundaries of the National Forests shall be relinquished
by the State and that said unsurveyed school sections be
used as a basis for the selection by the State in lieu thereof
other lands equivalent in acreage and value, in one or more
compact bodies, lying along and within the boundaries of
the National Forests, in such psition that when eliminated
therefrom all will lie outside boundaries.
In pursuance of said agreement the State and National
Forest Service caused to be examined and cruised a great
many of said unsurveyed school sections, and tentatively
selected two areas, one located in the Stillwater and White-
fish Districts, comprising 69,180 acres, and one in the
Swan River Valley of 37,180 acres, a total of 106,360 acres,
being in Flathead and Lincoln Counties.
Lists have been prepared and approved, equalizing as
near as possible, acreage and timber value, both the tracts
to be relinquished and the areas selected.
Under date of November 27th, 1918, the President of
the United States of America, WOODROW WILSON, un-
der and in conformity with said agreement of December
23rd, 1912, duly issued a Proclamation excluding the said
selected areas from the National Forests, and granting
the State ninety days from the date of the Proclamation
within which to file its selections for all surveyed lands
eliminated, and ninety days from the approval of the offi-
cial plat of survey of any unsurveyed lands embraced within
the areas excluded.
In conjunction with the State Board of Land Com-
missioners, action will be immediately taken to comply with
the terms of the Proclamation.
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
43
The early consummation of this timber land exchanged
affords this Department very much satisfaction. It will
give the State compact and very valuable timber tracts
making their preservation and administration more eco-
nomical and satisfactory. And it is to be hoped the area
may be further enlarged by selections based on other
isolated school sections.
44
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
ECONOMIC USE OF THE FORESTS OF MONTANA*
By John F. Preston, Assistant District Forester, United
States Forest Service. District One.
INTRODUCTION
The value of forests as a national asset and the import-
ance of their preservation and development has been very
strongly brought to the attention' of the world during the
great war. To the far-sighted and forward-looking for-
est policy of France in no small measure is the successful
termination of the world war due. Years ago France un-
dertook to preserve, extend, and develop her forest re-
sources. The result was that France, when the great
emergency came, was ready and the cause of Democracy
did not suffer for a lack of wood. The great importance
of this resource can be appreciated only by those closely in
touch with the military needs of the allied armies in
France.
The great war brings home to us many truths, not the
least of which is the necessity of making the highest use of
timber resources, not for the present only but for all time.
Mineral and forest wealth are Montana's two great natural
resources. The state is already dotted with deserted min-
ing towns and abandoned mines. Mineral wealth can not
last forever and little that we can do will enlarge the
quantity or extend the period of use. Forest wealth, on
the other hand, if properly handled, will increase in quan-
tity and the industries built around this resource will be
*This article is the work of the Office of Silviculture, United States For-
est Service, at Missoula, Montana. J. W\ Girard, Lenthal Wyman, and C. N.
Whitney contributed largely the data used.
Reference is also made to the following list of references from which
information was secured:
Dept. of Agricultural Bulletin 506 — Production Lumber, Lath and
►Shingles in 1915 and Lumber in 1916.
J. C. NELLIS.
United States Bureau of Census Abstracts.
Montana 1917 Bulletin, State Board of Agriculture and Publicity Mon-
tana Secondary Wood Using Industries.
J. B. KNAPP.
Products Studies
U-2 Report of Consumption of Forest Production by the Butte Mines
in 1914 and 1916
H. N. KNOWLTON.
U-3 Statistics of Production
U-4 Lumber Consumption in 1916.
C. N. WHITNEY.
U-2 Market Study of Gallatin Valley.
S. V. FULLAWAY, JR.
U-2 Market Study of Sun River Valley.
H. G. ADE.
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
45
permanent. Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and other
eastern states are dotted with sawdust piles and abandoned
lumber towns and thousands of acres of land unsuited for
agriculture and which formerly supported magnificent for-
ests are now only waste lands, contributing nothing to the
wealth of the states and adding to their burden of taxation.
Montana's forest industry is in its infancy. The popu-
lation is rapidly growing and the demands for lumber are
increasing. We have the choice now of saying whether we
want a permanent forest industry or only sawdust piles and
waste land to remind us of past prosperity. The federal
government is doing a big work in preserving vast areas
of mountain forest land and in regulating the cut. If al-
lowed to continue, Montana will never be in the predicament
of the Lake states, but there is a great deal to be done by
the state if the full value of the forest resources is to be
realized. Thirty per cent (which includes the best timber)
of the forest resources are in the hands of private owners.
The control and proper use of this land and timber are en-
tirely matters for the state to undertake. It means not only
some degree of control but active assistance to the industry
which manufactures finished products from the forests.
The purpose of this report is to show the extent and
value of the forests of the state, the lumber industry which
they support, the wealth created and the people dependent
on it for a livelihood, the present and future needs of the
people of the state for forest products and, lastly and
most important, to point out some of the things the state
must do to develop and make permanent the wealth and in-
dustry wnich comes from well regulated forests. We must
not wait until our forests are depleted with axe and fire
before taking steps to insure the permanency of the forest
industry. Montana should take steps now to strengthen
the State Forestry organization so that it will be able not
only to look after the state lands and forests but to point
the way step by step to a forest policy which will insure
Montana's place as a progressive, prosperous, and wholly
productive state.
Forestry, like other good things, will not come about
without active effort. The people must be educated to the
point where they understand what it is all about and when
46
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
once they do understand, there will be no question as to
the action which will be taken.
In a rapidly growing state like Montana, the natural
resources of the state regulate to a large extent the rate
of growth. Of these assets timber, mines, and available
farming land are the most important. Although the east-
ern half of the state is nearly devoid of forested ares, in
the mountainous western part lumbering comes to its own
and vies with mining and agriculture for first place in im-
portance. As the population increases and the demands
for lumber increase in proportion, the value of having an
adequate supply of timber to draw upon for the natural
development bound to ensue will be more and more appre-
ciated
Forest Wealth of the State
Distribution. In considering the location and distribu-
tion of the timber stands of Montana the state has been
divided into seven regions or districts. The territory cov-
ered by each is shown graphically on a map accompanying
this report.
Region 1, the Kalispell District, includes Lincoln and
Flathead Counties, the Kootenai, Flathead, and Blackfeet
National Forests and Glacier National Park, together with
included or closely adjacent forested land.
Region II comprises all the territory tributary to
Missoula and is designated, for convenience, as the Missoula
District. The Cabinet, Missoula, Lolo and Bitterroot For-
ests and the Flathead Indian Reservation are in this region.
It includes Missoula, Ravalli, Sanders, Mineral, and a part of
Granite and Powell Counties.
Region III is the Butte District. It takes in the Deer-
lodge, Beaverhead, Helena, and Madison Forests and all
the territory which may be considered tributary to the1
cities of Butte and Helena.
Region IV, or the Great Falls District, occupies the
north central part of the state, east of the Continental
Divide. The Lewis and Clark, and Jefferson Forests and
the Blackfeet and Fort Belknap Indian Reservations are
included.
Region V is known as the Bozeman region as all the
forested area tributary to that city falls into this district.
48
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
The Gallatin, Absaroka and Beartooth Forests are within
the exterior boundaries of the Bozeman region.
Region VI takes in the southeastern corner of the
state and is called the Custer region. The Sioux and Cus-
ter National Forests and the Crow and Tongue River In-
dian Reservations are the only large timbered areas in-
cluded.
Region VII, the so-called Lewistown region, consti-
tutes the northeastern corner of the state and contains
practically no timber.
The heaviest stands lie to the west of the Continental
Divide in the Kalispell and Missoula Districts; four-fifths
of all the timber of the state is in these two regions. The
eastern slope of the Rockies and outlying ranges included
in the Great Falls, Butte, and Bozeman regions have a
lighter stand and the trees are for the most part shorter,
not yielding as high a percentage of lumber of the better
grades as the stands farther west.
The altitudinal distribution of the forests ranges from
1800 feet (the lowest elevation in the state) on the west
slope to between 10,000 and 11,000 feet, which represents
about the upper limits of the growth in Montana, com-
monly known as "timber line."
East of the Rockies, because of the decreased rain-
fall, the lower limit of the timber rarely goes below 3,500
feet; 14 inches of rain are apparently necessary for tree
growth at this altitude under the usual conditions of wind
and topography. The elevation at which subalpine and
protection forests occur of course varies greatly with the
aspect and degree of slope.
Kinds of Trees:
The timber stand is composed of the following com-
mercial species:
Lodgepole pine Pinus contorta
Western yellow pine Pinus ponderosa
Western white pine Pinus monticola
Douglas fir Pseudotsuga taxifolia
Western larch Larix occidentalis
Englemann spruce Picea engelmanni
Western hemlock Tsuga heterophylla
Western red cedar Juniperus occidentalis
White fir Abies grandis
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
49
In addition there are present the following subalpine
specie or species of inconsiderable importance; Alpine
fir (Abies Lasiocarpa), limber pine (Pinus flexilis), and
white bark pine (Pinus albicaulis), besides several species
of junipers and a few broad-leaf trees such as ash, cotton-
wood, and birch.
Larch and western white pine are confined to and
reach their optimum development in the Kalispell and
Missoula regions and adjacent parts of Idaho; lodgepole
pine finds its optimum habitat in the Butte region; yellow
pine, Douglas fir, and spruce are found in nearly all parts
of the state.
Timber Estimates:
As may be seen in Table I, the stand on the perma-
nent productive commercial timber land for the state is
about 58 billion feet. The figures submitted in this report
do not include the timber on land suitable for agriculture
when the timber is removed and the land cleared. For
that reason the estimates are considerably lower in some
instances than would be the case if the timber on the pos-
sible agricultural land was included. This is particularly
true of the Kalispell region which contains the largest areas
of agricultural timbered lands in the state.
Lodgepole pine, with a little more thar 14 million feet,
comprises 24 per cent of the total stand. The complete
list is as follows:
50
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
8UId[
9Io<3eSpon[
uuT3raaiSu[T[
tsoi<
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MONTANA STATE FORESTER
51
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52
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
purees re^oj,
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MONTANA STATE FORESTER
ootoo
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54
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
TABLE III.
ROUGH ESTIMATE OF VOLUME IN MILLION FEET, (BOARD MEASURE)
AND PER CENT OF SPECIES BY REGIONS.
SPECIES
REGION
Yellow Pine
Western
Pine
Douglas Fir
Englemann
Spruce
Larch
Lodgepole
Pine
Cedar
Miscellaneous
All Species
1
KALISPELL
Vol.
%
3,598
16
567
2
4,353
20
3,058
14
6,994
32
1,487
7
301
1
1,714
8
22,072
100
II
MISSOULA
Vol.
%
6,055
26
288
1
5,030
22
731
3
4,709
21
5,614
24
65
*
657
3
23,139
100
III
BUTTE
Vol.
%
311
7
I
1,0101 424
22 9
2,535
56
280
6
4,560
100
IV
GREAT FALLS
Vol.
%
82
4
1
436| 102
i 4
1,617
71
38
2
2,275
100
V
BOZEMAN
Vol.
%
43
1
i
1,3401 333
27| 7
1
2,855
58
354
7
4,924
100
VI
CUSTER
Vol.
%
1,048
96
1
11| 14
11 1
1
26
2
1
2| 1,101
*| 100
1
::::::::::
VII
LEWISTOWN
NO TIMBER
*Less than %%.
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
55
Per Cent
Douglas fir.
Larch
White pine
Cedar
Lodgepole pine
Miscellaneous
Yellow pine..
Engelmann spruce... .
14,134
12,180
11,703
11,137
4,652
855
366
3,045
24
21
20
19
8
2
1
5
58,071
100
By regions the most imortant species are:
Kalispell — larch, Douglas fir and yellow pine,
and larch.
Missoula — yellow pine, lodgepole pine, Douglas fir and
larch.
Butte — lodgepole and Douglas fir.
Great Falls — lodgepole.
Bozeman — lodgepole and Douglas fir.
Custer — yellow pine.
Lewistown — no timber.
Tables I, II, and III shows the estimates in detail.
Ownership
The total productive commercial timbered area
is 14,126,000 acres, half of which is covered with ma-
ture timber and half, covered with reproduction and young
growth. These figures are shown in Table II. In the
same table it will be seen that there are 3,577,000 acres of
protection forest important from an erosion and water supply
standpoint. Practically all of the protection forest is .
owned by the federal government. It is composed largely
of limber and white bark pine and alpine fir, averaging
possibly 2,000 feet to the acre and making a total of 7 bil-
lion feet for the whole state. This, of course, should not
be considered with the mercantable timber as it may be
only lightly cut, and then only in especially favored dis-
tricts because of the inaccessibility of the stands and the
necessity for maintaining an almost unbroken forest cover.
The merchantable timber is separated by ownership
into five classes, as follows:
56
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
Per cent
Forest Service
National Park
Indian Reservations
State
Private
58
4
4
4
30
Practically all of the lodgepole is held in federal owner-
ship and 74 per cent of the spruce is also owned by the
government and 66 per cent of the Douglas fir. About one-
half of the larch is in private hands and the proportion is
about the same for yellow pine.
Productive Capacity
Only very rough data is available from which to deter-
mine the annual cut permissible without injuring the for-
ests. Much more accurate data will be required before any
final answer can be given. Several different methods of
figuring the yield, well known to Foresters, were used
which gave results varying from 768 million feet to 2,250
million feet. The latter figure can probably be reached in
practice only after years of care and development. In the
present primeval conditions, without endangering either
their permanence or the continuity of the cut, about 900
million feet is believed to be a conservative estimate of the
allowable annual cut of forest products from Montana for-
ests. The forests of the Kalispell and Missoula regions
where all of the big sawmills are located will sustain a
cut, under present conditions, of about 700 million feet.
The present annual cut is less than 400 million feet.
Some of the calculations by which these figures were ob-
tained are given in footnote *.
* The current annual growth for all species on the productive com-
mercial timber land (exclusive of Park land and protection forest) for
the whole state, as determined very roughly, is 768 million feet. By
regions the figures are:
These growth figures are probably lower than they would be were the
stands in their most productive state with no overmature timber and all
areas properly stocked. With the removal of the present overmature
stands the annual growth will increase as these cut-over areas will be
in a better growing condition and increment will not be offset by decay,
windfall, and other losses as it is to a great extent at present.
Million Feet
Kalispell
Missoula
Butte
Great Falls.
Bozeman
Custer
Lewistown
296
251
107
55
53
6
0
768
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
57
The proper lodgepole rotation (the age at which the timber is ripe
for cutting) appears to be about 140 years and this figure is used in
this report. For all other species 120 years is taken as the age at which
saw-timber size will be reached. White pine, cedar and white fir
might profitably be handed on a 100 year rotation but since these species
are of relatively very small importance in Montana they are thrown
into the 120 year class These are the rotations used in securing the limita-
tion of cut for a sustained annual yield.
So many factors come in that it is very difficult, with no accurate
information on site quality, acreage of stands now over-mature, and
degree of stocking, to more than hazard a guess as to the possible future
growth. However, using such yield tables as are applicable to this region
for site quality II normal stands and applying them to the total acreage
of the various types, the annual growth would be 2,250 million, but
since the average stands are six-tenths normally stocked, it is estimated
that the best that could be expected would be 1,350 million. The mean
annual growth figures per acre used in the 'above computation are:
Board Feet
White pine 275
Douglas fir 210
Spruce 200
Yellow pine : 175
Larch 165
Lodgepole 110
This possible annual growth of 1,350 million obtains only when there
are no over-mature stands, and when reproduction comes in immediately
after logging. Loss by fire or other causes is not taken into account.
With the rather incomplete data at hand the limitation of cut figures
must necessarily be only approximate. The best method of securing it
seems to be to spread the cut in the present total mature timber stand
over one-half the rotation since the mature stands occupy about one-half
the total acreage which gives a very rough area check. "This is a well
known method."
13,430 million
= 192 million feet per year
70 years
42,355 million
— 706 million feet per year
60 years
898 million feet per year, all species.
The mature commercial lodgepole stand amounts to 13,430 million feet
and all other species constitute 42,335 million feet.
Annual regulation of cut:
If it is planned to make the mature and over-mature stand last until
the present pole stands reach the rotation stage, there would be 9,360
million feet of lodgepole to cut in 50 years or 187 million feet cut annually,
and 28,623 million feet of all other species cut in 40 years which gives
716 million feet to cut annually. This makes a total of 903 million pos-
sible annual cut.
These figures do not take into account possible loss by fire, insects,
fungi and other causes nor do they take into consideration the increment
on the mature and over-mature stands for half the cutting period. These
factors tend to affect each other but on the 'whole the 900 million feet
is probably low rather than high and with proper care and management
should increase materially.
A sustained annual yield of at least a billion and a quarter can reason-
ably be expected when the present over-mature stands have been logged.
58
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
PRODUCTION OF FOREST PRODUCTS
Number and Size of Sawmills
There were 103 sawmills in operation in the state dur-
ing the year 1916, each producing an annual cut of 50,000
board feet or more. The following tabulation shows the
number of different sized mills included in the above 103
miles from which complete and reliable data has been
secured.
Annual Cut No. of Mills
10,000 M or more..... 8
5,000 M to 10,000 M 4
1,000 M to 5,000 M. 8
500 M to 1,000 M. 10
50 M to 500 M 73
Total 103
In addition to these mills, there were in operation dur-
ing 1916 probably from 20 to 30 mills cutting less than 50
M per year. Most of these mills are located east of the
Continental Divide.
Annual Lumber Production
The best available statistics on the annual production
of lumber in the state during the last ten years up to and
including 1915 vary from about 337 million feet b. m. as the
maximum to about 228 million feet b. m. as the minimum.
The average is 312 million per year. This information is
based upon data compiled from reports from operators who
manufacture more than 50,000 feet b. m. per year. Small
mills not included in the above figures produce probably
from 500,000 feet b. m. to 3,000,000 feet b. m. per year.
It would appear then that the average production of lumber
during the past ten years ranges from 313 to 315 million
feet b. m.
The cut for 1916 is considerably above the average
for the past ten years. For the purpose of this article,
however, the production of lumber for 1916 is assumed
as being representative of what may be expected for a
normal year in the future — for several years at least. The
total lumber cut for 1916, based upon mill cutting 50,000
feet b. m. or more per year is 383,884,000 feet b. m. If
the small mills cutting less than 50,000 feet b. m. per year
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
59
are included, it is believed to be conservative to assume
that the total cut for 1916 was in round numbers at least
385,000,000 feet b. m.
There are several reasons for this great increase in
lumber production during 1916. These reason are as
follows :
1. Stimulation in building and increase in lumber
values.
2. More complete information on the physical and
mechanical properties of Montana woods and the wide
range of uses to which these woods are particularly
adapted.
3. Better quality of manufacture.
4. More efficiently organized operations and selling
methods.
5. Increased demand because of war requirements.
6. Pressure from taxation and carrying charges.
7. Agricultural development and activity in other
industries requiring lumber.
The lumber production by species is as follows:
Board Feet Measure
Yellow pine... 138,206,000
Douglas fir.. 56,845,000
White pine .. 10,497,000
Larch 163,829,000
Spruce 6,790,000
Cedar 2,612,000
White fir 3,408,000
Lodgepole Pine 1,631,000
Cottonwood 66,000
Total reported 383,884,000
There was no hemlock reported, but it is known that
a small amount was manufactured in the western part of
the state. The total hemlock cut was probably from 2 to
3 million feet. This species was largely sold with the
larch and Douglas fir.
Total Cut All Forest Products
In addition to the lumber produced, there were
25,522,000 pieces of lath and 16,266,000 shingles. Figur-
ing that 7,000 lath is equal to 1,000 feet b. m. and 10,000
shingles is equal to 1,000 feet b. m. of lumber, the lath and
shingles produced are equal in round numbers to 5,200,000
feet b. m.
60
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
The stulls, lagging, converter poles, cordwood, ties, posts
and poles produced are estimated to be equivalent to approx-
imately 204 million feet b. m.
The following table shows the total estimated amount
of forest products manufactured during 1916, in terms of
feet b. m.
Feet Board Measure
Lumber 385,000,000
Stulls . 75,000,000
Lagging 1,000,000
Converter poles 1,500,000
Cordwood 100,000,000
Ties (not included in lumber) 20,000,000
Posts 5,000,000
Poles, pilings, etc 2,000,000
Shingles 1,600,000
Lath 3,640,000
Total Forest Products 594,740,000
The total figures are rounded off to 595,000,000 feet
b. m.
The total cost of handling these products from stump
to final place (as given in detail later) is estimated to
average about $40.00 per M, which includes the freight
It is estimated that the amount of money expended in labor,
freight, etc. for each thousand feet of fuel wood used is
about one-fourth as much per M as for lumber. One reason
for this is that a large proportion of the wood is used on
ranches and is not shipped over any railroad.
The figures for the production of lumber, lath, and
shingles are considered very reliable, because they are based
upon authoritative data. The figures for the other Forest
Products may be slightly in error for the reason that they
are partly based upon estimates, but in most cases the esti-
mates are believed to be conservative; possibly estimates of
stulls may be too high.
Relation of Logging and Milling Costs to
f. o. b Prices at Mill
This varies greatly for different regions, different
species, and between different operators. Nothing more
than general averages can be given. During the last ten
years the margin between total costs from the stump to
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
61
f. o. b. cars and the selling prices has been very small. In
many cases the two have been about the same and some-
times the selling price has been less than the cost of pro-
duction.
Lumber manufacturers have not made 10 per cent
net on their investment during the past ten years, if the
cost of carrying charges on their holdings, such as protec-
tion, taxes and insurance, is charge to the annual cut.
During 1917 the manufacturers probably made from 10 per
cent to 20 per cent on their investment, excepting operators
who were tied up a large part of the year by strikes, shor-
tage of labor, et cetera. Any one familiar with logging
and lumbering operations, realizes that this is a very risky
and hazardous business and is entitled to a higher margin,
to insure a fair industrial return, than almost any other
line of business.
The following tabulations show the estimated relation
between manufacturing costs and the selling prices f. o. b.
mill for a representative plant during 1917. This mill cuts
from 15 to 22 million feet per year. It is an up-to-date
band mill. The cut is about 75 per cent yellow pine. The
timber was sound and the quality good.
Kind of Mill
Daily Capacity
Estimated In-
vestment in
Mill
Estimated In-
vestment in
Operati nig
Capital, Log-
ging equip-
ment, etc.
Estimated In-
vestment in
Stock Car-
ried in Yard
Total Average
Profit bear-
ing Invest-
ment
Band
60,000
$80,000
$80,000
$200,000
!
[ $360,000
1
The following tabulation shows an analysis of the
operation and the relation between the operating costs and
the f. o. b. mill selling prices.
be
p)
'So
bfi
o
Manufacturing
Lumber Tally
Over Run, Per
Cent
Manufacturing
Log Scale
Stumpage
Total Cost
Stump to Car
Log Scale
Selling Price
f. r>. b. Mill.
Lumber Tally
Selling Price
Log Scale
Margin Per
Thousand
Amount Cut
Total Margin
$11.00
$6.50
20
$7.80
1
$3.25
$22.05
$22. Oo'
$26.40
$4.35
15000M
$65,250
62
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
On ths basis, and for this particular operation, the
gross profit on the investment is about 18.1 per cent. As-
suming that money in this region is worth at least 8 per
cent, and including interest as a cost, the net profit on the
investment is 10.1 per cent This does not allow anything
for taxes and carrying charges on standing timber. It is
believed that the average mill in Montana during 1917 did
not earn more than 10 to 15 per cent on the investment,
from which interest, taxes, and carrying charges on stum-
page must be paid.
Freight Rates to Eastern Montana Points
The freight rate per M feet b. m. varies greatly, of
course, for different species and for different kinds of ma-
terial. It is estimated that the freight rate per M for all
Montana lumber, from origin to destination varies from
about $2.50 to $7.00 per M with an average of probably
$5.00 per M. The rate per M for the material shipped in
from the Coast varies from about $2.45 per M for the light-
est material (cedar bevel siding) to about $10.00 per M for
timbers with an estimated average of not less than $8.00
per M for all material shipped.
The freight rates per 100 pounds of lumber are uni-
form for all grades.
For car-load shipments the- approximate rates per 100
pounds to several Montana points are as follows:
TO
FROM
Bozeman
Billings
City
£
Miles
Havre
Glasg<
Missoula, Mont
1
i2y2c
20c
25c
Eureka, Mont
13c
21c
Sandpoint, Ida
25 %c
33c
St. Maries, Ida ]
33c
Pacific Coast Points
(Seattle, Portland)
35c
1
35c
35c
35c
40c
The freight per M from these different points varies
considerably for different species and dfiferent classes of
product. The following table gives the freight rates per
M feet of lumber by producing regions to the Gallatin
Valley or the Bozeman region:
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
63
Species
.Producing
Keg-ion
K
"0
5
o
A
Dimension
Planks
Timbers
Rustic
Shiplap
Drop Siding
Flooring-
| Ceiling
Coast Fir
Coast
8.75
1 1
9. 28|10. 15| 8.40
1 1
o . to
1
t . W
1
7.00| 4.90
1
Larch and
Doug-las Fir
Missoula
2.75
3.63
5.61
3.00
3.96
6.12
3.75
4.95
7.66
2.38
3.14
4.85
2.50
3.30
5.10
2.50
3.30
5.10
2.50
3.30
5.10
2.50
3.30
5.10
St. Regis
Idaho
Western
Yellow Fir....
Missoula
2.50
3.30
5.10
1
2.75
3.63
5.61
1
3.63| 2.25
4.79| 2.97
7.401 4.59
1
2.38
3.14
4.85
2.38
3.14
4.85
2.38
3.14
4.85
2.38
3.14
4.85
St. Regis
Idaho
Western
White Pine
Missoula
2.38
3.14
4.85
1
2.63
3.47
5.36
3.63
4.79
7.40
2.25
2.97
4.59
2.25
2.97
4.59
2.25
2.97
4.59
2.25
2.97
4.59
2.25
2.97
4.59
St. Reg-is
Idaho
THESE RATES PER M ARE FOR AIR-DRIED LUMBER
Factors of Competition With Mills Further West
The factors which determine competition are: the cost
of stumpage, cost of logging, cost of manufacturing, quality
of lumber, grades, sizes, strength, durability, adaptability
to certain uses, weight, freight rates, etc. If it were possible
to make a detailed analysis of all the factors enumerated, it
would then be possible to show diogrammatically the possi-
bilities of each timbered locality. Theoretically, the factor
which determines the economical competition with mills
further West in distance, which in turn greatly affect the
freight rates. This one factor, however, does not deter-
mine the limit of competition with the mills further West.
The Coast mills can log cheaper and the timber is of
better, quality and is better suited to certain sizes and
grades. The mills in this state can compete with the
Coast mills to a certain distance, for certain kinds and
sizes of material.
The freight rate from Missoula, Montana, to Boze-
man, Montana, is 12.5 cents per hundred pounds. From
Bellingham, Washington, to Bozeman, the rate is 35 cents
per hundred, or 22.5 cents per hundred more. In this
case, assuming 2x4 dimension to weigh 2,400 pounds per
M feet b. m., the Coast mill shiping to Bozeman must pay
$5.40 per M more for freight than the mills at Missoula or
Bonner, Montana. If there is no difference in the quality
64
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
of the lumber, and the logging on the Coast is not more
than $5.40 per M cheaper than the Montana logging, the
Coast mills, theoretically, should not get any of the busi-
ness in Bozeman for this particular class of material,
provided that Montana has sufficient timber to supply all
such markets within the state. There are, however, cer-
tain classes of material which probably cannot be supplied
for the entire state from Montana mills because of the
quality of the timber. There are more Douglas fir clears,
such as flooring, ceiling and the like, used in the state
than could be supplied from the Douglas fir which is cut
annually within the state. It is believed that there is a
big field for larch in this particular line if it is rift or
vertical grain sawed and properly dried. It should be
investigated, and I believe that it is financially feasible
and practically possible to replace a large portion of the
Coast fir clears with Montana larch.
A complete and detailed analysis of the factors affect-
ing competition would require complete knowledge of lum-
ber consumption, by grades and sizes; complete knowl-
edge of logging and manufacturing costs; complete knowl-
edge on available timber, its quality and condition and a
complete diagram of freight rates. This kind of study,
to be of greatest value to the producer and the consumer
would necessarily cover, not only the state of Montana,
but the entire United States. This should be one of the
ultimate aims of the Forest Service and the State Forestry
Departments. It will then be possible to formulate work-
ing plans and regulate the cut on the basis of sustained
annual iyeld for all timber producing areas, but varied
locally to meet demands from an economic point of view.
Such a study as this would make it possible to divide
the country into zones showing the following information:
1. Population and consumption of forest products.
2. Amount and quality of available timber.
3. Present source of supply.
4. Most economical source of supply.
5. Where competition should be encouraged.
6. Zone lines for different grades of material.
It would be found by a study of this kind that cer-
tain market zones would be overlapped by other zones
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
65
for certain grades. If a certain zone could be most econ-
omically supplied from a certain body of timber, based
upon distance and logging condtions, it might be found
that the quality of timber was such that certain grades and
sizes could not be produced in sufficient quantity to
supply the demand. In that case, that particular zone
would necessarily have to be overlapped by the zone
which could most economically supply the special product.
Shipping lumber long distances has two disadvantages:
1. It reduces the manufacturer's margin, and
2. It increases the cost of the lumber to the con-
sumer.
The two most important features in connection with
the lumber industry are (1) the business should be on
a sufficiently sound basis to yield a fair industrial return
on the investment and (2) it should be so organized rela-
tive to competition, cooperation and distribution, that the
consumer could secure lumber at the lowest practicable rate.
Market Limitations of Montana Mills and Relation to
Number and Size of Mills and Accessibility of Stumpage
The market limitations of Montana mills are deter-
mined by practically the same factors as outlined under
"factors of competition with mills further west." The
size and quality of the timber, accessibility, logging condi-
tions, logging costs and manufacturing costs, primarily
determine the limitation of Montana mills but the amount
of timber, quality of timber, logging costs, etc., in adja-
cent states also materially affect the limitation.
Assuming that the total cut of Montana mills for 1916
was 385 million feet 'b. m. of lumber, which includes the
sawed ties and timbers, and that 80 per cent of the cut
was sold in Montana, the total consumption from Montana
mills would be 308 million feet b. m. The best informa-
tion available shows that the Idaho mills sold 80,000,000
feet b. m. in Montana, the Pacific Coast mills sold
213,000,000 feet b. m. and approximately 1,000,000 feet
b. m. of of hardwoods were shipped in from various eastern
states. The material which was cut under free use and
commercial sales up to $100 and Forest . Service sales to
settlers at cost, are eliminated from the above figures.
On this basis the Montana mills supply only about 52 per
66 FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
cent of the lumber consumed in Montana. The annual
growth of timber in the state is figured conservatively to
be not less than 900 million feet b. m. This indicates
that the state has sufficient timber to supply the present
annual consumption indefinitely, and have a considerable
surplus to dispose of elsewhere or in the form of other
products, provided that the forest lands are protected and
properly managed.
Theoretically, the Montana market should be supplied
by Montana mills but there is a certain amount of white
pine, cedar, and probably some Douglas fir clears and
large timbers which could not be furnished by Montana
mills. Without more detailed study, it is not possible to
determine with any degree of accuracy what percentage
of the total consumption of lumber in Montana could be
most economically supplied by Montana mills, but it is
roughly estimated that from 75 to 90 per cent should be
so supplied.
Assuming that .75 per cent (the more conservative
figure) could and should be supplied by Montana mills:
this means that the cut would have to be increased from
385 million to 450 million, an increase of only 65 million.
The present mill capacity of the state is ample to take
care of this amount. This would mean a decrease in the
amounts shipped into the state from the coast, and from
Idaho of approximately 140 million feet and a decrease in
the amount shipped to other markets of about 75 million
feet. Of the 140 million feet decrease in shipments from
points outside the state, it is reasonable to assume that
120 million would be from Coast mills and 20 millions from
Idaho mills. This would represent a saving to the con-
sumer of about $3.00 in freight on the Coast lumber and
$1.00 on the Idaho lumber, or a total reduction in the price
of lumber paid by the consumer of $380,000 annually, or
an annual saving per capita of 76 cents.
The only way to get at the actual figures is by a
comprehensive study of the demands of the consumer,
correlated with the sizes, grades, and kinds of lumber
produced in the state. Is it not a problem worth studying?
Are not both producer and consumer entitled to know the
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
67
facts and should not the state undertake to bring about
a more satisfactory condtion of affairs?
One factor which affects the possibility of this devel-
opment is the fact that owners of Pacific Coast timber
and mills operate a large number of retail yards in the
state and naturally they are most concerned about a mar-
ket for their own stumpage. This may affect to some
extent the possibility of supplying some of the markets
in the eastern part of the state with native timber.
The data at hand indicates that several more small
mills and a number of medium sized band mills could be
profitably operated in this state. Probably the biggest
field for increased business and better utilization of for-
est products is in the development of the pulp industry.
It is believed that this state can supply at least one and
possibly two good sized pulp mills indefinitely. This phase
of timber development should be thoroughly investigated.
Distribution of the Total Cut
There is not sufficient data available to accurately
show the distribution of the entire cut. Reliable data is
available for about 359 million feet b. m. This is about
85 per cent of the total cut and it is believed to be repre-
sentative for the distribution of the entire cut. The
amount or percentage of the entire cut sold in Montana does
not check with figures which have previously been worked
up because more complete data has been obtained since
these figures were compiled. The following tabulation
shows where the lumber was sold, the amount, and the per-
centage each amount is of the total sold, also the total cut
for all mills included in the tabulation, the amount of
stock on hand and the percentage this is of the total cut.
68 FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
Distribution of Montana Lumber, 1916 Cut
WHERE SOLD
Amount M
Approximate
Per Cent of
Amount Cut M
Amount in
Yard M
Per Cent of
Total Cut in
Yard
Montana
288,940
80.50
Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Colorado, Wyo-
ming and New Mexico
4,803
1,34
and Oklahoma
17,596
4.92
Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois,
Missouri, Michigan and Indiana
23,725
6.54
Atlantic States
8,282
2.30
Canada
618
0.20
Other States
15,101
4.20
—
Totals
359,065
100.
377,912
191,599
51
The above figures indicate that, when the lumber
market is good and the demand is above normal, not more
than 50 to 60 per cent of the annual cut is carried in stock.
If the stock on hand for large mills is averaged over a
period of five to ten years, it usually amounts to from 60
to 80 per cent of the total annual production, but as small
mills usually sell a large portion of their cut in the rough,
much less lumber is carried in stock by these mills. It
is believed that for the entire state 60 per cent of the
annual production of lumber would be a safe figure to
use for normal conditions, including all types and sizes
of mills in the state. In order, however, to be on the safe
side in figuring investment in lumber, 70 per cent of the
annual cut is usually assumed to be a conservative figure.
Approximately 20 per cent of the total cut of lumber
in Montana is shipped out of the state. This would be
from 60 to 80 million per year. This is largely the better
grades of yellow pine and white pine and a small amount of
Douglas fir and larch. Common grades of the interior
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
69
species cannot be shipped long distances because of the
weight and low mill run value.
Number of Retail Yards
There are, according to the 1917 "Blue Book," *Vol.
28, 456 retail yards within the state. These yards deal in
lumber as their principal business, but most of them handle
other products in connection with lumber.
There are 143 other concerns which retail lumber but
are not listed in the "Blue Book" as retail yards. This
makes a total of 599 concerns which retail lumber, either
as a principal business or as a side issue. There are prob-
ably a few small yards in the country which are not listed,
but the amount of material handled by such yards, if there
are any, is such a small percentage of the total business
in the state that they need not be considered.
Cost and Selling Prices
Considerable data has been collected concerning the
cost prices f. o. b. cars at retail yards and the selling
prices. The figures, without detailed analysis, indicate
that there is a wide margin between cost and selling prices.
One would naturally conclude that the retailer was making
an unusually high profit at the consumer's expense. This,
however, upon close analysis, is found to be not the case.
The retailer in this region usually makes from 12 to 25 per
cent on the average investment. During 1917 the margin
on the investment was probably a little greater than usual
or an average of about 20 per cent.
It is often thought by the consumer when he was to
pay from $30 to $40 per M on an average for his lumber
that the price is unreasonable and some one is making a
big profit. An analysis of the retail business, if carried no
farther than the class of material handled, the freight
rates and the margin between cost and selling prices, indi-
cates that the retailer is making an unreasonable profit.
However, if the retail business is probably analyzed, it will
be seen that the prices charged for lumber are not unrea-
sonable, but a good profit is made on the investment.
There is detailed data available from about 123 retail yards,
showing the number of men employed, the average invest-
ment per yard for real estate, sheds, office furniture,
yard equipment, lumber carried in stock, and the cost per
*Issued by the National . .umber Manufacturers' Association.
70
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
M for handling lumber from the cars to the consumer.
This data was collected for 1917. The following table
shows the analysis of the retail business in these yards,
which is based partly upon data submitted by retailers
and partly upon estimates.
No. of Yards In-
cluded
Average Invest-
ment Per Yard
Average Amount
of Lbr. Handled
Per Yard
Average Cost Price
Per M Including
Freight
Average Selling
Price Per M
Gross Margin Per
M
Cost of Handling
in Yards, Deliv-
ering, etc.
Net Profit Per M
Per Cent of Profit
on Average In-
vestment
123
$14,000
600M
$26.00
$38.00
$12.00
$ 7.00
$ 5.00
19.2
It has been shown elsewhere in this report that the
manufacturer does not make an unreasonably high profit
on the investment. The figures in this table indicate that
the retailer makes a fair profit but it is not considered
exorbitant. The cost of handling lumber from the car to
the consumer includes taxes, insurance, depreciation, main-
tenance of equipment and all overhead. This item ranges
from about $4.00 per M as the minimum to about $8.50
as the maximum.
The investment per yard is not believed to be repre-
sentative for the average yard for the entire state. There
are several large yards located in towns where real estate
is very valuable and the investment would be much greater.
It is believed that $18,000 per yard would be a good aver-
age investment for the entire state, and from $6.00 to $6.50
per M for handling charges.
These 123 yards were selected because they were so
nearly the same for the investment per yard, the amount
of lumbr handled, and the cost per M for handling it.
It seems perfectly evident that the consumer has to
pay for too many retail yards. One yard for every 1,000
people in the state is really more than is necessary. In
one locality in Eastern Montana eight yards supply 14,000
people; in another locality twenty-one retail yards supply
15,000 people. Numerous cases can be found of duplica-
tion of effort in this field. Obviously if the number of
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
71
retail yards was more nearly commensurate with the popu-
lation, the cost of lumber to the consumer could be reduced
several dollars per M feet. This may or may not be a
field for investigation and action by the state government.
Principal Lumber Trees of the State
The available supply, distribution of supply, and pro-
duction have already been discussed for the commercially
important species which grow within the state. It is here
intended to summarize in a general way information con-
cerning the characteristics of the different woods, grades
of lumber made, and uses to which the material is adapted.
Western Yellow Pine (Pinus ponderosa)
In total value of the product, western yellow pine
is the chief lumber producing tree of Montana. Ir this
state it reaches its best development in the Bitter Root
and St. Regis Valleys. The wood is light, soft, and resin-
ous, and has a fine even grain. The sapwood is nearly
white, usually varying from three to six inches in thick-
ness. The heartwood varies in color from light yellow
to reddish brown. The wood is not strong as compared
to larch or Douglas fir, but its even grain, smooth finish,
easy working properties, and resistance to warping and
checking enhance its value for uses of the trades. In its
general serviceability for secondary manufacturing plants
requiring soft woods, it is excelled only by white pine for
which it is often mistaken and substituted.
The following statistics show some of the physical
and mechanical properties of western yellow pine (or
western pine and western white pine, as it is commonly
called in the lumber trade.)
Average weight of oven-dry wood, 26.5 pounds per
cubic feet (Sargent).
The green weight is about 46 pounds per cubic feet.
Specific gravity (dry) 0.42.
Fuel value 63 per cent that of white oak (Sargent).
Average breaking strength (Modulus of rupture) of
small, clear pieces green, 5200; air-dry,
9800 pounds per square inch. (Forest Service
strength tests).
Average factor of stiffness (Modulus of elasticity)
of small clear pieces, green, 1,010,000; air-dry,
72
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
1,340,000 pounds per square inch (Forest Serv-
ice strength tests).
The strength under varying conditions of serv-
ice varies from about 60 to 70 per cent of that
of Douglas fir.
Weight of 1,000 feet b. m. of rough green lumber,
from 3,500 to 3,700 pounds.
Shipping weight of 1,000 feet (b. m.), of 1-inch
rough air-dry lumber, 2,600 pounds; of 1-inch
lumber, air-dry and planed, 2,100 pounds.
Utilization
The major product of the yellow pine forests is lumber
in its various forms. Western yellow pine lumber is used
for almost every purpose to which any pine lumber is put.
It has uses ranging from the coarsest construction to highly
finished products. House frames, beams, joists, rafters,
sills, sheating, and studding are cut in all workable di-
mensions. Thick finish from 1% to 2 inches inch finish,
siding, flooring, factory plank or shop common, factory
selects, thick common lumber, common boards, ship lap,
groved roofing, dressed and matched material, dimension,
fencing, and lath are the principal products into which
western yellow pine is separated when it leaves the yard
or planer. Many of these products are shipped in the
rough as they come from the sawmills, but the bulk of the
material is run through the planer and either surfaced or
re-manufactured into some of the finished forms.
The uses of the wood and the basis for the grades of
sawed products are very similar to those of white pine.
The tree produces an average of about 13 per cent select,
12 per cent shop, and 75 per cent common lumber, as
graded at the larger mills. The proportion of the various
grades produced depends not only upon the quality of the
timber, but also upon the efficiency of the operation, the
size of the mill and the facilities for marketing lumber. In-
efficient operations do not cut as high a proportion of the
better grades, and small mills without a marketing organi-
zation do not take as much care in separating grades.
Western yellow pine is well suited for flooring,
although considerably softer than its chief competitors,
Douglas fir and western larch. Its even grain and wear-
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
73
ing qualities commend its use for flooring and it shrinks
or warps comparatively little after proper seasoning. The
wood makes excellent fuel for which both the green and
dead timber is used. In addition to being sawed for lum-
ber and used for fuel, it is extensively used in the mines
of Butte for stulls; also to some extent in the round for
house logs and frames, fence rails and posts in the agri-
cultural districts, but for these purposes is inferior to
Douglas fir and lodgepole pine. The wood of the yellow
pine is not very durable in contact with the soil and as a
rule should be treated with a preservative before being
used for ties, telegraph poles, or fence posts. The butt
logs of dead trees thoroughly impregnated with pitch, how-
ever, make excellent fence posts.
It has never been used commercially for paper, but
experiments made at the Forest Product Laboratory, Madi-
son, Wisconsin, indicate that it has possibilities for this
purpose. With the soda process it yielded pulp with a
strong fiber of brown color which would probably make a
good grade of wrapping paper. By the mechanical process
it yielded pulp which had long fibers and was creamy in
color, but coarse, and suitable only for making manila and
other papers where color and coarseness are of no im-
portance.
Western Larch (Larix occidentalis)
Montana has about 46 per cent of the total supply
of this species in the United States. In 1916 more than 50
per cent of the total output of larch was cut in this state.
The total cut reported by Montana sawmills in 1916 was
16 per cent greater than that of western yellow pine, but
fell off from 164 million board feet in 1916 to about 138
million feet in 1917, which was 4 per cent less than that
of the yellow pine. The heaviest stands of larch are
located in the northwestern part of the state.
Description of the Wood
The heartwood is reddish-brown in color, while the
sapwood, which is usually from ^ to IV2 inches thick, is
yellowish-brown. Western larch lumber is practically all
heart-wood, because the sapwood is so thin that it is gen-
erally cut off with the slab in sawing the log. The annual
rings are clearly marked, each showing two distinct bands,
74
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
one of light-colored wood grown in the spring, and the
other of darker, harder and stronger wood grown in the
summer. The grain of the wood is straight and very
close. The fiber is hard and tough; holds nails firmly.
Knots are generally sound, tight, and not over 11/2 inches
in diameter. The wood is very durable under conditions
where it is exposed to the weather, even when not painted.
The average weight of western larch grown in Missoula
County, as shown by tests at the Forest Products Labora-
tory, Madison, Wisconsin, is 51 . pounds per cubic foot,
green; air-dry weight (at 12% to 15% moisture) 39
pounds; kiln-dry weight (at about 8% moisture) 37
pounds; oven-dry weight, 31 pounds.
Forest Service strength tests of western larch show
that it ranks high with other American woods as a struc-
tural material. The following average values for small
clear pieces tested green were obtained from material
grown in Montana and Washington:
Specific gravity oven-dry, based on Volume when
tested 0.48.
Pounds Per
Square Inch
Specific gravity oven-dry based on vol.
when tested . 0.48
Av. breaking strength (Modulus of
rupture 7,500
Av. factor of stiffness (Modulus of
elasticity 1,350,000
Crushing strength (compression paral-
lel to grain 3,800
Fiber stress at elastic limit (Compres-
sion perpendicular to grain. 560
Shearing strength parallel to grain 920
Utilization
The bulk of the larch is cut into dimension, common
lumber, and timbers for structural purposes, since the stiff-
ness, strength, hardness, and other qualities particularly
adapt it for that class of work. It is, however, used for a
great variety of purposes ranging from the heaviest con-
struction to the finest interior finish. The tree produces an
average of about 8 per cent select lumber and 92 per cent of
the common grades.
Owing to its beautiful grain, larch is an excellent wood
for interior finish. It does not mar or dent easily and readily
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
75
takes and holds stains, varnishes, oil finishes and paints.
When cut with the grain vertical and properly seasons, the
wood makes an excellent flooring material which wears evenly
and keeps a smooth surface.
One of the chief objections often made to western larch
is that interior finish often shrinks after placing in a build-
ing. This is due to the wood being manufactured into finished
product before it is thoroughly dry. Forest Service tests
show that the volumetric shrinkage of larch is somewhat
greater than that of most other western woods, which empha-
sizes the importance of careful attention to the matter of
seasoning. Excellent results have been secured in kiln drying
larch green from the saw in the Forest Service humidity
regulated kiln. Wide clear boards one inch thick were dried
successfully, and it was demonstrated that the losses which
ordinarily occur in seasoning larch can be greatly reduced.
Larch is one of the best cross tie woods in Montana and
large numbers are used annually. The wood has sufficient
strength in side bearing to withstand rail wear well.. It can
be easily treated with preservative, and about two-thirds of
the larch ties used in Montana are treated either with creo-
sote or zinc chloride. As a material for wood-block paving,
larch is very serviceable because of its hardness and resist-
ance to wear. In Spokane treated larch paving blocks have
been quite extensively used. In addition to the large amount
consumed locally, a considerable quantity of western larch
cut by Montana mills is shipped out of the state to the
prairie states of the Middle West.
Pulp
Forest Service paper making tests on western larch indi-
cate that although the wood in the mechanical process pro-
duces a pulp which can not be manufactured into papers of
good color and strength, nevertheless, in the sulphate pro-
cess the wood produces a pulp which can be manufactured
into natural colored kraft wrapping paper of very good
strength. The wood is not well suited for the manufacture
of pulp in the sulphite process.
Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga taxfolia)
Douglas fir holds third place in Montana in total output
from the sawmills and in the total value of its products. The
76
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
annual cut represents from 10 to 15 per cent of the total lum-
ber production of all species in the state.
The wood is considerably lighter than larch but heavier
that the western yellow pine in the dry condition. The Doug-
las fir grown in Montana is rather knotty and coarse grained.
The spring and summer wood vary greatly in density. The
spring growth is soft and spongy and almost white in color,
while the summerwood is hard and flinty and very dark. The
growth is more variable than that of larch and the yearly
rings may be narrow with very little of the brown summer-
wood, or broad with nearly as much summerwood as spring-
wood. The proportion of heartwood is usually less than that
of larch, but greater than that of yellow pine. The wood is
neither as straight grained nor as easily worked as that of
the coast fir, but it is highly valued for its strength and
durability. Forest Service strength tests of small clear pieces
in the green condition show the following average values for
material grown in Montana and Wyoming:
Pounds Per
Square Inch
Specific gravity overn-dry based on vol.
when green 0.40
Av. breaking strength (Modulus of
rupture) 6,400
Av. factor of stiffness (Modulus of
elasticity 1,180,000
Crushing strength (compression paral-
lel to grain 3,000
Fiber stress at elastic limit (Compres-
sion perpendicular to grain) 450
Shearing strength parallel to grain 880
In pure stands the Rocky Mountain form of Douglas fir
does not produce such dense stands nor clear straight boles
as the coast fir, and because of its slower growth it forms at
a given age a forest of much smaller trees than does the
coast fir. Beecause of its smaller size and absence of clear
length the Douglas fir cut in Montana does not furnish as
high a quality of lumber as that grown in Oregon and Wash-
ington. Some of the Montana fir is used for flooring and
finish, but the tree cuts a very small percentage of selects,
98 per cent going into common lumber and only 2 per cent in
the select grades. At the sawmills most of the fir is cut into
rough lumber, timbers and dimension stuff for mining and
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
77
construction purposes. Its strength and comparative light-
ness fit it for joists, floor beams, rafters, and other timbers
which must carry loads. The greater part of the output is
consumed within the state, a large quantity being used by
the Butte mines. Both square and round timbers are in
some cases cresoted or treated with other preservatives
when used in permanent mine work. The round timber
is more easily treated because of the soft sapwood which
readily absorbs the fluids. In the square form the density
of the heartwood hinders the penetration of the preserva-
tive. Large numbers of railway cross ties are used annu-
ally in an untreated condition throughout the state.
Pulp
To a limited extent paper mills in the Pacific Coast
region use Douglas fir for pulp, but it is usually combined
with that of other woods. The density of the summer-
wood of Douglas fir and difficulty of bleaching the pulp
make it unsuitable for the finer grades of paper, but good
wrapping paper can be produced. The wood may be reduced
by either the mechanical or the soda process.
Lodge Pole Pine (Pinus contorta)
Most of the lodgepole pine produced in the state is con-
sumed in the round or hewed form or as fuel wood. The
lumber census figures which are for lumber cut only do not
indicate the importance of the species. Tt contributes less
than one per cent to the lumber cut of the state, but should
be classed as the fourth species of importance in point of
production and value on the basis of the total output of
mining timbers, posts, poles, ties, and fuel. The total supply
of standing timber exceeds that of any other species and in
many districts the wood is the most important in its general
uses.
The wood of lodgepole pine is straight grained, with
narrow rings in which the resinous band of summerwood are
conspicuous, though relatively small when compared with the
the springwood. It is more resinous than eastern white pine,
but less so than the yollow pines of the South and West. In
color it varies from almost white to a light yellow or yellow-
brown with a tinge of red in the heartwood. Its specific
gravity (oven-dry) based on volume when green is about 0.38.
The green weight varies from about 39 pounds to 47 pounds
78
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
per cubic foot. The air-dry weight averages about 28
pounds and the kiln-dry weight 27 pounds per cubic foot.
The wood is fairly soft, and is easily worked. Though not
so strong as Douglas fir of the Pacific Coast, a heavier
wood, tests made by the Forest Service show it to be prac-
tically as strong as western yellow pine and stronger than
Engelmann spruce and alpine fir, three woods of more
nearly its weight. Tests made on lodgepole pine and west-
ern red cedar telephone poles cut green and seasoned show
lodgepole pine to be the stronger, both in cross bending
and in compression parallel and perpendicular to the grain.
Average strength value for green lodgepole material
grown in Montana, Colorado, and Wyoming, tested in the
form of small clear pieces are as follows:
Pounds Per
Square Inch
Avrage breaking strength (Modulus of
rupture) 5,500
Average factor of stiffness (Modulus of
elasticity 1,080,000
Crushing strength (compression parallel
to grain) 2,610
Fiber stress at elastic limit (compression
perpendicular to grain) 310
Shearing strength parallel to grain 690
Lodgepole is one of the smallest of the commercially
important pines. In well developed stands approximately
140 years old, at which age the tree may be considered
mature, most of the merchantable trees are from 8 to 14
inches in diameter breat high and from 60 to 80 feet in
height. Trees up to 20 inches in diameter and 85 feet in
height are commonly found, however. Even in mature
stands only about 20 per cent of the material is large
enough for saw timber and the logs taken out run from
20 to 30 per thousand board feet. Such sizes do not yield
wide lumber and are more expensive to log than larger
stuff. Owing to the small size of the timber and various
other causes the use of lodgepole in lumber has been com-
paratively small, forming less than 0.1 per cent of the
total lumber cut of the United States.
When carefully manufactured lodgepole produces better
lumber than is commonly assumed. In quality it ranks
between western yellow pine and western white pine and
MONTANA STATE FORESTER 79
is often mixed with these species. While the sound knots
which are characteristic of lodgepole make it difficult to
turn out any large quantity of clear lumber, they do not
prevent a high percentage from going into No. 1 and No. 2
common of the narrow widths. When manufactured into
lumber the tree produces about 7 per cent selects, 93 per
cent going into the common grades. At present most of
the lodgepole pine lumber is used locally for rough con-
struction and repairs, though in some places where other
species are not available it is also used for flooring, siding,
and finish.
Figures on the total cut of lodgepole for all purposes in
Montana have not been compiled recently, but in 1913 the
total amount including that cut from private as well as
from National Forest lands was about 30.5 millions board
feet. This cut was distributed among the different products
as follows:
Board Feet Per Cent
Mine timbers 14,632,000 48
Cordwood 8,554,000 28
Fencing 4,083,000 13.4
Saw timber 2,805,000 9.2
Miscellaneous 315,000 1.1
Railroad ties 108,000 0.3
Total 30,497,000 100.
The annual cut has probably increased somewhat during
the past five years, but it is estimated that the percentages
used for different purposes have not been greatly changed.
The wood is the chief source of stulls, lagging, and
converter poles for the Butte mines and Butte affords the
greatest single market for this species to be found anywhere.
Lodgepole stands supply large quantities of house logs and
straight slender poles used for building corrals and fences
and it is an ideal timber for ranch purposes.
The wood is not durable in contact with the soil, but is
easily treated with preservatives. It yields a ground wood
pulp of good quality suitable for the manufacture of news
print paper. It can also be made into pulp by the sulphite
process.
Western yellow pine, western larch, Douglas fir and
lodgepole pine furnish over 90 per cent of the forest products
80
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
cut within the state. The remaining 10 per cent is made up
principally of Engelmann spruce, western white pine, and
white fir. The Engelmann spruce forms extensive stands at
high elevations, but has been little exploited thus far. The
quantity of western white pine manufactured in Montana
sawmills is small compared with the amount of this species
manufactured in Idaho. White fir is found in small quanti-
ties in mixture with other species in the mountains of west-
ern Montana.
Consumption of Forest Products
The lumber consumption in the state in 1916 was com-
puted to be 604 million feet and of all other forest products,
such as cordwood, hewn ties, posts, poles, lath, and shingles,
196 million board feet, a total of 800 million feet.
Dwellings
The 1915 census abstract states that there is one dwell-
ing for every 4.5 people in Montana, and at the present esti-
mated rate of increase in population of 15,000 per year, about
3350 new dwellings are required to house the people. This
would take 67 million board feet of lumber. There are in
the neighborhood of 110,000 dwellings in the state at present
requiring an annual amount of 22 million feet of lumber for
repairs. Furthermore, lath and shingles amounting to 33
million feet board measure are needed, this making 122
million feet used for dwellings alone.
Farm Improvements
Each year 1700 new farms are established in Montana
requiring barns, hay sheds, carriage houses, and various out-
buildings. It takes 38 M feet of lumber per farm for these
improvements or 65 million feet in the state. At present
there are 50,000 ranches: and repairs on these at the rate
of 300 board feet per year per ranch would be 15 million feet.
It is estimated that one million fence posts are needed on
ranches, or 5 million feet, reduced to board measure.
Office and Factory Buildings
No very close check was possible on the amount of lum-
ber used in office and factory buildings but it is estimated
at 150 million feet.
Mining
The mining industry is centered at Butte, which takes
MONTANA STATE FORESTER 81
a large percentage of the total amount of lumber demanded
by the industry. Very close figures are available for the
Butte consumption as a result of a study of that market by
the Forest Service. Adding 10 per cent of the Butte con-
sumption for the rest of the state, the mining companies
annually need
132,000 M board feet of lumber
32,000 M board feet of stulls
2,000 M board feet of lagging, and converter poles.
Thus the total consumption of the mines is 167 million feet
per year.
Railroads
According to the 1917 valuation survey of the Board of
Assessors, there are 7254 miles of railroads in Montana, of
which about 1450 miles are side tracks, spurs, and yards, ami
5,804 miles in main line tracks. The average annual cross
tie replacements were figured at 300 per mile for main line
track and 250 per mile for the side tracks, or 2,104,000 ties
and another 100,000 is used on the 270 miles of electric road
(exclusive of the C. M. & St. P. main line, which is included
in the previous figures). Reduced to board feet, 80 million
feet are required by the railroads for cross ties; of these, 60
million board feet are sawn ties and 20 million are hewn ties.
Stations and other railroad buildings are included under
the heading "Factory and Office Buildings" previously dis-
cussed. 200 M. B. M. of poles are used by the various electric
railroads but this figure has been combined with the pole
figure for telephone and telegraph companies. For repairs
on platforms, bridges, trestles, crossing, etc. 20 million feet
are consumed annually, bringing the total consumption for
railroads in the state up to 100 million feet.
Irrigation
It is estimated that there is needed for the repair of
flumes, gates, etc., on irrigation works, not to exceed 6
million feet.
Telephone, Telegraph, and Power Companies Use One Million
board feet of cross arms and 42,000 poles which when re-
duced to board measure give 3 million feet, a total of 4 million
feet of all forest products.
The Fuel Consumption has been estimated at 200,000 cords
or 100 million board feet.
82 FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
The Wood Using Industries of the state in 1912 took 6 million
feet and for the present year, the amount is placed at 8
million.
Miscellaneous
All other needs in Montana are estimated at 58 million
feet. These figures are summarized in the following table:
Forest Products Consumed
Volume Million
Class of Use Feet B. M.
Dwellings 122
Farm Improvements — — — - 85
Office and Factory Buildings 150
Mines ..... ~ - - -- 167
Railroads 100
Telephone, Telegraph and Power Lines 4
Irrigation 6
Fuel , 100
Wood Using Industries 8
Miscellaneous 58
Total 800
By kinds of products the consumption is as follows:
Lumber from Montana mills 300,000 M
Lumber from Idaho mills 80,000 M
Lumber from Pacific Coast mills 213,000 M
Ties not included in lumber 20,000 M
Hardwood from the East 15000 M
Posts 5,000 M
Poles, Piling, etc 3,000 M
Free use and small sales to settlers 10,000 M
Stulls 33,000 M
Lagging and converter poles 2,000 M
Lath and shingles made in Montana 5,000 M
Shingles shipped in from the Pacific Coast 29,000 M
Fuelwood and miscellaneous products 100,000 M*
Total all forest products 801,000 M
♦The consumption of fuelwood appeared high, but upon close analysis it
was found that 100 million feet board measure was a very conservative figure.
It is usually figured that one cord of wood is equivalent to 500 feet board
measure. It was figured that 250,000 of the population of the state, largely
the eastern part of the state, used 50 board feet of fuelwood per year or
one-tenth cord per capita; 150,000 inhabitants in the cities and small towns
in Western Montana used 300 board feet or six-tenths cord per capita and
the remaining 100,000 inhabitants, largely ranchers in the western part of the
state, used 500 board feet or one cord per capita. If this figure is in error,
it is believed to be low.
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
83
According to the most reliable statistics for 1917, the
population for Montana was approximately 500,000 people.
This was checked by a curve platted to show the increase
over a long period and the maximum which could be deter-
mined from the curve was 500,000 inhabitants. Using this
number as a basis to figure from, the consumption per
capita for all forests products expressed in terms of feet
board measure is 1,600 feet; excluding railroad ties, mine
timber, and fuelwood and reducing it to lumber, lath, shin-
gles, etc., the consumption was about 900 board feet per
capita. This figure is an average for the state wsirh is
higher tsan for rural communities, where no large con-
sumption for office and factory building*, railroad, and
other special projects brings up the average. For ordinary
use such as dwelling, farm improvements, irrigation, *tc,
the per capita consumption would be between 400 and 600
feet b. m.
Cross Section of Lumber Consumption in Eastern Montana
In the spring of 1918 the Forest Service made two in-
tensive studies of lumber consumption in Eastern Montana,
which show some interesting figures. The figures collected
cover the calendar year 1917. The Gallatin and Sun River
Valleys were selected, the former, one of the oldest and best
settled regions in the state, and the latter, still largely in the
pioneer stage. The area selected in the Gallatin Valley con-
tained a population of 14,000 people, with eight retail lumber
yards and the Sun River, a population of 15,000 people, with
twenty-one retail lumber yards. The following table shows
the total and per capita consumption by classes of products
(not including telephone or telegraph poles).
Consumption of Forest Products in M Feet B. M.
Total
NAME OF
AREA
Lumber
R. R. Ties
Farm Timbers
(Posts & Poles
Fuelwood
Shingles
Lath
Mouldings, Sash
Doors, Frames
Total
Sun River
7,177
1,831
671
444
633
133
162 |
11,054
65*
16.9*
6*
4*
5.5*
1.2*
1.4*|
100*
Gallatin
4,722
2,267
478
4,503
342
139
115 |
12,568
37.5*
18.5*
4*
35.5*
2.5*
1*
1* |
100*
*Per Cent.
84 FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
Per Capita
Sun River
1
1 457
122
45
1
30 1
1 1
.. I 84 | ...
1
I 740
Gallatin
340
162
35
321 | ....
..| 42 | ...
... | 900
The following table shows the source of lumber only
used in each Valley.
Gallatin Valley
Species of M Feet b. m.
SOURCE OF
LUMBER
W coast
juaho
W. Montan ...
Local
Total
Per Cents
1,416
1,416
30
865
1,257
354
295
160
865 1,611 455 318
18 34 10 7
I I I
175
143
I I
| 893 |
11,756 |
| 657
|1,416
4,722
100
19
37
14
30
100
Sun River Valley
W. Coast
1,750
1 1
| 199 11,949
27.1
• 4
72.2
.3
Idaho
10
4,190
17 | | 27
W. Montana
991
I |5,181
Local
20
| | 20
Total
20
.3
1,750
24
4,200
59
991
14
1 1
17 | 199 [7,177
.2| 2.5| 100
1 1
100
Per Cents
The following shows the per cents of the grades of
lumber used as graded at the retail yards:
Per Cent of Grades Used
NAME OP AREA
<u ft
uiUl
h
Is
Sun River
Gallatin ...
10
43
41
13
7
18
23
18
3
3
16
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
85
It will be noted that the per capita consumption of
lumber only is 457 feet b. m. in the Sun River Valley and
340 feet b. m. in the Gallatin Valley. Considering the dif-
ferences between the stages of development of the two
localities, this difference is reasonable. Older well settled
communities use less lumber per capita than those in earlier
stages of development. The Sun River Valley is believed
to be more representative of the greater part of Eastern
Montana. Another difference which might be expected is
the larger percentage of the select and clear grades of
lumber (the most expensive) used in the Gallatin Valley.
Older communities are able to afford more luxuries in gen-
eral than people in the pioneer stage of development; the
percentage of urban to rural population is also much greater
in the Gallatin than in the Sun River Valley, which, as a
rule, means better houses calling for a greater volume of
the higher grades of lumber. Forty-five per cent of the
lumber sold (including, in this case, lath, shingles, sash and
doors) in the Gallatin Valley was for use in towns, and
55 per cent for the country trade. Corresponding figures
for Sun River are 19 per cent, town trade, and 81 per
cent, country trade. The fuelwood consumption in the
two regions were approximately the same as to urban and
rural, 10 per cent being for town use and 90 per cent for
use on farms.
There is a very striking difference also in the quantity
of wood fuel consumed in the two localities as well as in the
total fuel (wood and coal) consumed. Converted to feet
board measure, the Sun River uses 30 feet and the Gallatin
321 feet per capita. The coal consumption in Sun River
amounts to 23,000 tons and in the Gallatin, 30,000 tons.
Reducing this to feet b. m. (on the basis of 12/3 cords
wood equals one ton of coal and 500 feet b. m. per cord of
wood), the total consumption of fuel in terms of lumber is
1302 feet b. m. for the Sun River and 2100 feet b. m. for
the Gallatin, per capita. Considering that the Gallatin
Valley includes the comparatively large city of Bozeman,
the Agricultural College, and several large flour mills, a
brewery and other fuel-consuming industries, not repre-
sented in Sun River, the difference seems reasonable. The
wood fuel consumption of Sun River is more representative
of Eastern Montana conditions than is the Gallatin figures.
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF THE LUMBER INDUSTRY
Investment in Business
The economic importance of any industry can best be
determined from the investment represented in that indus-
try, the labor it furnishes and the number of people that it
supports directly or indirectly.
If the lumber industry in the state is analyzed on this
basis, it would seem to be one of the most important indus-
tries in the state and in some respects it is by far the
most important. Agriculture and mining are, of course,
the most important industries, but these could not be
economically and successfully operated unaided by the
use of forest products. For that reason the forest re-
sources, especially the timber, is without question first in
importance if considered broadly.
All available data has been collected and an estimate
of the investment in the lumber industry is given below.
These figures are of necessity only estimates, but they are
believed to be reasonably close to the actual facts.
As nearly as can be determined the investment is as
follows :
Logging equipment $ 1,000,000
Logging railroads, steel etc 1,080,000
Manufacturing investment (Mills) 4,000,000
Planing mills, sheds, real estate, etc. 2,000,000
Investment in logs on hand 400,000
Lumber carried in stock 6,000,000
Other forest products 2,700,000
Retail yards, including lumber 8,723,000
Stumpage 17,260,000
Transportation; investment in equipment, transpor-
tation lines, etc 34,819,200
Total investment rounded off to $78,000,000
As the total investment is much greater than the figures
which have been formerly compiled, some of the items need
explanation.
The investment in retail yards and transportation
equipment have not been included in previous reports. Data
from about 123 retail yards show that the average annual
profit bearing investment ranges from $11,000 to $19,000
per yard. The average for the state was placed at $18,000
per yard for the reason that no large yards were included
in the 123 yards. There are 456 retail yards in the state
and 143 other concerns which handle more or less lumber.
The 143 yards referred to were estimated to have an aver-
age investment of $5,000.
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
87
The investment in transportation facilities was much
more difficult to determine. According to the statistical
report of 1917, Board of Assessors, there are 5,804 miles
of main railroad and 1,450 miles of spurs, side tracks, etc.,
in the state. This makes a total of 7,254 miles. The in-
vestment in this mileage, including everything except the
passenger equipment is estimated to be $40,000 per mile.
On this basis the total investment is $290,160,000. It is
estimated that from 12 to 15 per cent of the total tonnage
originating in the state is lumber and other forest products.
Twelve per cent of the total investment was charged to
the lumber industry in arriving at the total investment in
that industry. This amounts to $34,819,200.
It is believed that these figures are conservative. Sta-
tistics show, for the United States as a whole, that slightly
more than ten per cent of the entire tonnage handled
during 1914 was lumber and other forest products.
The statistics show, for the western district, that forest
products comprise 16,68 per cent of the total tonnage while
agricultural products account for 17,20 per cent of the
total. The products from mines in the western district
constitute 43.28 per cent of the total tonnage, while manu-
factured products comprise only 12.55 per cent.
It is, therefore, very evident that the lumber industry
and other forest products furnish a large portion of the
freight business and from that point of view they are
among the most important industries.
Probably the total tonnage from any given industry
is not the best index to the importance of that industry
fram a traffic point of view, because the rate per ton
varies greatly for different commodities, and the haul also
varies considerably. An analysis of the average haul, the
revenue and average receipts per ton-mile is probably the
best comparison. In the following table seven commodi-
ties are selected for this purpose. These figures are taken
from the statistics of railways in the United States for 1914.
88
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
i
CO eg
+-> ^
a%
o
o|
Commodity
0)
.Q CO
,Q i
nue
•
P
>
C
Re
<JP4
5 <u
Western
Western
Western
Western
Western
Western
Western
Grain
Hay
Livestock
Dressed meats
Anthracite coal
Bituminous coal
Lumber
24, 537,231|5, 389,373, 751|$41, 322, 930|
3.445,8891 523,156,5681 6,043,796]
8,315,039 1,749,226,521[ 24,558, 161|
978,009 336,201,5401 3,584,7461
2,477,213 483,146,3011 3,108,634|
44,276,336 6,050,456,1621 37.612,063|
40,832,434|7,905,602,432| 56,954,077|
I I I
0.7671 219.64
1.1551 151.82
1.4041 210.37
1.0661
0.6431
0.6221
0.720!
I
343.76
195.04
136.65
193.61
The boundary of the western district is about as follows:
Bounded on the northeast by the northwestern shore of
Lake Michigan to Chicago, thence by line through Peoria
to St. Louis, thence down the Mississippi River to its
mouth. Alaska and the Island possessions are not included.
It was not possible to compile the classification of
freight orginating in Montana. The western district select-
ed is believed to be fairly representative for this state,
except that the tonnage from forest products would proba-
bly not be as great a percentage of the total for Montana
as for the whole western district and for that reason it was
estimated that 12 per cent would be a safe figure to use.
Number of People Employed in Lumber Industry
It is not possible to show the actual number of people
employed in the various activities, but a knowledge of
operating costs and the amount of forest products handled
annually make it possible to closely approximate the num-
ber of people employed in the woods, mills and retail yards.
Every thousand feet of logs that is cut and transported
to the mill under present conditions represents from 1.5
to 2.5 man-day's labor. It is believed that two man-days'
labor per M feet b. m. is a fair estimate. Telephone, tele-
graph and power poles, piling, stulls, lagging, and converter
poles represent considerably more labor for each thousand
feet handled.
The labor for manufacturing lumber is not as much
per M as for logging. The labor for manufacturing from
pond to car varies from about 1.1 to 1.4 man-days per M
feet of lumber. Some of the most efficient band mills may
hold the labor down to one man-day per M, while some of
the small mills would be as high as two man-days per M.
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
89
These figures are intended to include only the actual labor
necessary to produce one M feet b. m. of logs or lumber.
Depreciation, maintenance, taxes, insurance, general over-
head, etc., are not considered in this part of the discussion.
The following table shows the estimated number of
men employed in the production of forest products. It is
believed that the employees in retail yards should be includ-
ed because that is one of the important features in the
lumber industry.
These figures are based upon an estimated average effec-
tive year of 200 days each for the logging and manufactur-
ing. Because of the large overturn the actual number of
men on the payrolls would greatly exceed these figures.
The number of men employed in the woods includes
loggers, pole and stull makers and tie cutters. Miscellane-
ous includes cruisers, labor for fire protection, wood cutters,
post makers, etc. It is believed that there are from 10,000
to 15,000 men employed in the various activities listed here.
Only a small percentage of the woods workers are mar-
ried, but a large percentage of the mill employees and
employees in retail yards have families. It is estimated
that the lumber industry supports directly from 25,000 to
30,000 people. The number that is supported from other
lines, such as building, secondary wood-using industries,
etc., has not been included. According to the most reliable
statistics there are at least 31 secondary wood-using indus-
tries in Montana. How many employes this represents is
not known.
Labor Costs of Handling Forest Products
If the total business directly resulting from the forest
products cut in Montana during 1916 could be completely
analyzed, the importance of protecting and properly man-
aging the forests so as to maintain a perpetual supply of
mitber would be evident without further discussion.
Men employed in woods
Men employed in mills
Men employed in retail yards
Miscellaneous
7,000
2,000
1,200
1,800
Total
12,000
90 FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
It costs in supplies, labor, transportation, etc., about
$8.00 per M to do the logging. It costs at least $6.00 per
M to manufacture, including all costs from the pond to
f. o. b. cars. The costs for 1917 were, of course, consider-
ably more. The average freight paid per M for each M
feet b. m. shipped varies from about $2.50 to $6.50, with
an average of probably $5.00 per M for all forest products
cut. Handling in retail yards is estimated at $6.00 to $8.00
per M for material actually handled and about $4.00 per M
prorated over all products handled.
The cost of putting the material in final place, such
as laying ties, building bridges, trestles, houses, barns,
granaries, etc., varies from about $7.50 to $15.00 per M.
The cost of replacing ties under present labor conditions
would be from 25c to 30c per tie, or from $7.50 to $9.00 per
M. The cost of building barns, sheds, granaries, and similar
structures would vary from $6.00 to $10.00 per M. Struc-
tural construction, bridges, trestles, etc., would range from
about $15.00 to $25.00 per M. The cost of putting tele-
phones, telegraph, power poles and piling in place would be
much more per M feet b. m. than for the lumber.
The cost of dwellings varies greatly per M for different
parts of construction. Setting up studding and framing
walls of wooden dwellings would cost under present wages
about $18,000 to $20.00 per M. Framing and setting floor
joists 2x8 to 2x12 would cost $16.00 to $18.00 per M. Fram-
ing and setting heavy joists and girders 6x12 to 10x14 would
cost $14.00 to $16.00 per M. The cost of laying 4-inch floor-
ing would cost from $35.00 to $40.00 per M.
The average labor cost of construction or putting into
final place is estimated to be $20.00 per M. It is believed
that this would be a fair and conservative weighted aver-
age per M feet b. m. for the labor of putting these forest
products into final place after delivery of the finished prod-
uct. The various figures making this total are estimates,
but the are sufficiently correct to be used as an illustration.
The following tabulation shows the estimated average
expenditure in labor, supplies, and transportation, for each
thousand feet board measure of forest products that were
cut in this state during 1916, from the stump to final place.
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
91
Item
Cost Per M
Logging
Manufacturing
Freight or wagon haul .
Handling in retail yds., selling de-
$ 8.00
6.00
5.00
livering, maintenance, deprecia-
tion, overhead, bad accts., etc.
$6.00 to $8.00 per M, estimated
average on total cut
Construction, buildings, etc.
4.00
20.00
Total Costs
$43.00
These figures do not include the furniture and other
wood-using industries which spend considerably more for
each M feet handled. Cordwood converted to board measure
represents only about $10 per M feet in labor as compared to
other products.
If the total cut of forest products (excluding cordwood)
in Montana during 1916 is placed at a round figure of 495
million feet b. m. and the cost of handling from the stump to
final place is rounded off to $40.00 per M for supplies, freight,
labor in logging, manufacturing, retail yards, constructing
houses, bridges, and other structures and purposes, the indus-
trial importance to the state directly and indirectly is $19,-
800,000.00; and including cordwood at $10,000 per M feet
makes a total of $20,800,000.00.
If the average wage scale for 1916 is placed at $4.00 per
day, the total number of effective days represented by the
above sum is 5,200,000 days. This divided by 300 days, the
result is 17,333 work years of $1,200 per year, which is more
than the average American family earned during 1916. In
other words, the forest products cut in Montana during 1916
represents enough in labor, supplies, freight, etc., to support
17,333 average American families, or about 70,000 people,
slightly more than 14 per cent of the entire population of
Montana.
Some Interesting Comparisons
The best stands of "mature timber for large areas will
average about 20,000 feet b. m. log scale per acre. For a tract
of 160 acres the total log scale on this basis would be 3,200,-
000 feet b. m. A large portion of the logs cut in this state
are transported by rail for a distance of 10 to 100 miles.
92
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
Saw logs will average about 8,000 pounds or four tons per
1,000 feet b. m. On this basis 160 acres of the best stands
of timber would yield 12,800 tons of freight in the form of
sawlogs. The lumber overrun over log scale is not, on an
average less than 20 per cent. The yield of lumber, then,
from the same area would be 3,840,000 feet b. m. The total
freight in lumber would be 9,600,000 pounds, or 4,800 tons,
assuming that the shipping weight of Montana lumber and
timbers will average 2,500 pounds.
The average yield of wheat for the state of Montana
during 1916 was approximately 19 bushels per acre. Placing
the weight of wheat at 60 pounds per bushel, the total amount
of freight produced from 160 acres of wheat would be approxi-
mately 91 tons per year. On this basis, it would require about
140 years for 160 acres of wheat to yield the same number of
tons of freight as 160 acres of the best stands of mature
timber in the form of sawlogs, and approximately 53 years
to produce the same amount of freight as 160 acres of timber
would yield in lumber. Assuming 140 years as the average
age at which Montana timber matures (and this is a conser-
vative figure) 160 acres of timber lands will produce under
forest management about 35 tons of freight in the form
of lumber annually, which is about 381/2 per cent as much as
wheat land produces, based on the 1916 average. Considering
the relative topography and productive capacity of the two
classes of land, this is a very important economic considera-
tion. Timberland, which we are considering, it must be re-
membered, will not grow wheat or any other profitable agri-
cultural crop and is fit only for timber production.
Assuming that 8,000 feet b. m. log scale is a fair load of
logs, the forest products cut in Montana during 1916 would
require at least 52,000 cars to haul the logs in one load. This
would make a train approximately 416 miles long, which
would reach from Spokane to Helena with 39 miles to spare.
The tonnage would be slightly more than the production of
hay for the entire state during 1915.
If all the forest products cut in Montana in 1916 were
converted into board feet, the lumber would be sufficient to
make a sidewalk four feet wide and one inch thick 24,621
miles long, which would reach approximately around the
world, or from New York to San Francisco 7.8 times. There
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
93
would be sufficient material to make a solid block of wood
one mile square and 18.7 feet high.
Looking at it from another angle, the forest products cut
in Montana during 1916 would make enough lumber to con-
struct approximately 34,700 modern five-room cottages of
average size which would be equivalent to about eight towns
the size of Missoula.
If all the forest products cut in Montana during 1916 had
been cut into cordwood it would be equivalent to all the
spruce pulpwood cut in Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Min-
nesota, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oregon, and Penn-
sylvania during 1914.
The actual average labor cost of lumber delivered to the
consumer at the retail yard, not including stumpage or the
profit to which the manufacturer and the retailer are entitled,
is about $20.00 per M feet. Twenty-five per cent of this cost
is freight, and this timber is grown within the state! It is
easily apparent that the freight item alone will greatly in-
crease the cost for lumber shipped longer distances. The
consuming public is, therefore, interested in maintaining a
continuous lumber business in the state for at least two
very vital reasons: (1) because it means the cheapest lumber
it will be possible to obtain; and (2) almost all of the land
now naturally forested must either produce timber or become
practically waste land, and this means higher taxes on pro-
ductive land and fewer people to meet the burden.
The people of the state should wake up to the immense
economic value of forests and the industry which they sup-
port and take action to insure the source of supply of the
raw material and so regulate the cut that Montana will al-
ways have a thriving industry. The immediate need is a
strong State Forestry organization which will keep the people
and the state government informed concerning the need for
action. That is the only instrument through which effective
results can be obtained.
94
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
WHAT THE STATE SHOULD DO FOR THE FOREST
INDUSTRY OF MONTANA
In the foregoing pages, an attempt has been made to
present a picture of the present and future possibilities aris-
ing out of the possession of abundant forest wealth. The
Creator gave to Montana three great natural resources with
which to build an empire: rich agircultural lands, wonderful
mineral resources, and abundant forest wealth. The develop-
ment of the first two is dependent in large measure upon
the third. A resource, the development of which support di-
rectly some 25,000 or 30,000 people and indirectly 70,000 peo-
ple or 14 per cent of the present population, surely demands
careful consideration upon the part of those responsible for
the future welfare of the state.
When we consider that the future expansion in the lum-
ber industry will mean the support of two or three times this
number of people, that the lands which support timber must
(except for a very small percentage) continue to grow timber
or become non-productive waste land, that the future of the
business is entirely within our hands — to develop and con-
serve and stabilize, or allow to expand and grow dispropor-
tionately as a mushroom, leaving nothing for future genera-
tions, we begin to realize that the preservation and right use
of this resource is a matter of very great public concern.
It is not a question of a few needed laws only (although
they would help) or of any overshadowing crisis which we
are approaching. No man can tell now just what ought to
be done to insure the state against the economic loss of so
great an industry. This is a question of adapting a forest
policy to the changing and growing needs of the people. This
requires careful study and consideration of all factors in the
case at various stages of development. What is needed is a
strong Forestry Department of the State Government, which,
through constant study of the problem, will be able to formu-
late a far-sighted forest policy and ask the support of the
people and the legislature in carrying it out. Obviously, a
very important part of the job is to inform the people and
keep them informed of conditions and needs. Constant atten-
tion to the interests and welfare of the people of the state
for all time is needed to bring about a wholesome and satis-
factory condition of affairs. Any other policy will result in
MONTANA STATE FORESTER 95
wasting the heritage of forest wealth so generously provided
and that in turn means a serious hindrance to the reaching
of the fullest economic prosperity.
With the broad and far-reaching purposes of forestry in
mind, I have attempted to indicate more specifically a few
of the things the state should do in the immediate future.
(a) Commit itself, like the national government to a
policy calling for the highest use of all lands.
(b) Classify the forest lands of the state and designate
those of greatest value for permanent forest production re-
gardless of ownership.
(c) Adopt measures which assist private, state, and
federal owners to consolidate holdings so as to permit economi-
cal administration.
(d) Exercise some control of private lands with refer-
ence particularly to:
(1) methods of cutting so as to insure re-
stocking of the land with trees;
(2) disposal of brush and debris left from log-
ging to minimize the fire risk;
(3) distribution of cutting with reference to
permanent industries ;
(4) control of forest fires.
(e) Cooperate with the National Forest Service in
regulating the cut to the limits of forest productivity. To
do this will mean:
(1) some control over the number, location,
and size of sawmills;
(2) collection of data on rate of growth of
timber, distribution of age classes, etc.;
(3) silvicultural management of state for-
ests ;
(4) prevention of private owners from with-
holding ripe timber from the market when such
policy interferes with development of local com-
munities.
(f) Adopt measures for educating and making good
citizens of woods workers. This means coordinating indus-
tries to make possible year-long employment and establish-
ment of homes.
(g) Directly assist the lumber industry in:
9 b
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
(1) gathering statistics of lumber manu-
facture, shipments, and consumption;
(2) making a study of Montana markets and
taking such action as may be possible to reduce
the cost of lumber to consumer;
(3) educating the people to use Montana for-
est products by giving euthentic information as to
their uses and values compared to other woods;
(4) making a study of wood substitutes and
compiling data concerning relative values;
(5) studying efficiency of methods of log-
ging and milling in order to reduce costs;
(6) creating an organization capable of im-
partially appraising stumpage values and scaling
logs when in dispute.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. An adequate Forest Fire Law defining a closed sea-
son from June 1st, to September 30th, inclusive, of each
year, during which it would be unlawful for any person to
set out, or cause to be set out, fires in any forest material
without first procuring a permit therefor from certain
designated officers: A copy of such proposed law, as well
as the necessity thereof is fully set out in the article
"PROTECTION OF PROPERTY AGAINST SLASH FIRES
IN WESTERN MONTANA" embraced in this report.
2. Having had numerous applications for the purchase
of Lodgepole Pine, this office has had to refuse the sale of
same; under the present State Forestry Laws (Chapter
147 — 1909 and Chapter 119 — 1911) no timber can be sold
that is less than 8 inches in diameter, 20 feet from the
ground.
There is at least 75% of Lodgepole Pine that matures
and decays before reaching the dimensions required by law,
and is blown down, causing dangerous fire traps.
I respectfully recommend that the coming Legislature
will amend the present laws so as to enable this office to
dispose of this class of timber, thereby increasing the re-
ceipts of the office and will also avoid a dangerous fire
menace, otherwise proving a total loss of thousand of dol-
lars to the state.
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
97
3. A law authorizing the State Forester to sell with-
out advertising live timber in quantities not to exceed five
hundred dollars in value.
Having had applications from single individuals for
immediate purchase of small amounts of Tie and Saw tim-
ber, a number of such sales have been lost to the state by
having to comply with the present laws in regard to adver-
tising same. From the date of application, advertising tim-
ber, and office work, from six to seven weeks elapse before
the sale can be made, together with expense for each con-
tract, averaging $15.00.
I respectfully request that the State Laws be so amend-
ed, to allow the State Forester to sell up to $500 worth of
timber without advertising.
4. A law requiring any person, firm or corporation
engaged in the cutting or removing of timber, logs, ties,
poles, wood or other forest products, from lands within the
State of Montana, whether public or private, to burn or
otherwise dispose of the brush, slashings and all inflam-
mable material incident to such cuttings, at such times and
under such methods and restrictions as may be provided
by law.
This law is urged for the following reasons: Prac-
tically all Forest Fires have their origin in dry, old and
long neglected brush heaps and slashings, and until dis-
posed of are a constant menace, furnishing fuel for fires
once started, are very hard to control. I am convinced that
a law enacted along these lines will reduce the fire hazard
at least 40 per cent.
FORESTRY BUILDING
The importance of the lumber industry of Montana
suggests the need of a Forestry Exhibit Building. Such a
building should be located at the State Fair Grounds where
forest and mill products can be assembled and displayed
and publicity given showing the methods followed for the
preservation of the great natural timber resources of our
state as well as the necessity for making them permanent
and increasing their value.
I feel this matter justifies the serious consideration of
our Legislature. A suitable building could be erected for
98
FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT
$15,000. The great interest manifested by citizens en-
gaged in the lumber industry justifies this department in
stating that $5,000 of the amount could be raised by private
subscription. I therefore suggest that the Legislature make
an appropriation of $10,000, contingent upon the securing
of $5,000 by private donation.
Such a building would make a handsome additional
structure to the State Fair Ground where a permanent ex-
hibit of Montana's lumber industry can be displayed.
AERO FOREST FIRE PATROL
It is estimated that Montana has a present stand of
58 billion feet, board measure, of mature merchantable tim-
ber and that the State of Montana owns 4% or about two
and one-third billion feet.
The preservation of this great asset and industry de-
volves in a great measure upon the state, in cooperation
with the Federal Forest Service and Protective Associations.
The greatest menace to our forests, at this time, is
their destruction by fire. And in the development of a
system of protection from this source, the method now in
use is patrolmen, lookouts, and trail building with connect-
ing telephone lines.
Agencies now engaged in forest fire protection in Mon-
tana annually employ 350 patrolmen and lookouts, for the
summer period at an annual cost of about $60,000. This
is the present annual force for patrol work only, and is
inadequate and should be greatly increased.
For fighting and suppressing forests fires during the
year 1917, the total cost to all cooperating agencies in Mon-
tana, was the huge sum of $480,000, with resulting damage
of $300,000.
The adoption of measures and means to quickly dis-
cover, locate and report fires in our forests is of the great-
est importance; and in this connection I suggest the use of
aeroplanes. From a limited investigation on the subject I feel
justified in recommending the use of an Aeroplane Forest
Patrol during the dry summer months, and that their use
will prove practical, economical and the most adequate
means for the prevention and suppression of forest fires.
MONTANA STATE FORESTER
99
Two men with an aeroplane, from an elevation of from
two to three thousand feet could overlook a forest area
forty miles in width and for an unlimited distance in travel-
ing over the water-sheds of the state, thereby doing more
effectively, patrol work than under the present system re-
quires the employment of a great many men. As an esti-
mate I would say one machine would equal the services of
60 men.
The war has caused great development in the naviga-
tion of the air, and demonstrated the practical commercial
use of aeroplanes, as well as training great numbers of our
boys in their use, which should make available both men
and machines for such service and at a reasonable cost.
I respectfully submit this proposition for serious con-
sideration by the State Board of Land Commissioners, with
a view of authorizing this department to secure such equip-
ment for the coming fire season.
INDEX
Page
Timbered Cruised, Permits and Contracts 5
Financial Statement 6
Distribution of National Forest Receipts 9
Montana, Area and Classification 11
Timber Resources 11
Forest Fire Cooperation 13
Forest Fire Fighting Equipment 15
Forest Fires of 1917 and 1918 16
Illustration, Destruction by Fire and Hurricane 17
Illustration, Young Yellow Pine and Red Fir Totally Killed by Fire 18
Protection of Property Against Slash Fires in Western Montana 19
Illustration, Forest Homesteads 20
Proposed Forest Fire Law 24
Illustration, Natural Forest Scene 27
The White Pine Blister Rust 28
Committee on the Suppression of Pine Blister Rust 31
The Red Belt Injury of Forest Trees in Montana : 33
Farm and City Trees 39
Qualities and Uses of the More Important Montana Woods 40
Proposed Timber Land Exchange 42
ECONOMIC USE OF THE FOREST OF MONTANA
By
JOHN F. PRESTON
Assistant District Forester, U. S. Forest Service.
CONTENTS
Page
INTRODUCTION 44
FOREST WEALTH OF THE STATE 46
Distribution 46
Kinds of Trees 48
Timber Estimates 49
Ownership 55
Productive Capacity 56
PRODUCTION OF FOREST PRODUCTS : 58
Number and Size of Sawmills 58
Annual Lumber Production 58
Total Cut of All Forest Products 59
Relation of Logging and Milling Costs to f. o. b. Price at Mill 60
Freight Rates to Eastern Montana Points 62
Factors of Competition with Mills Further West 63
Market Limitations of Montana Mills 65
Distribution of the Total Cut 67
CONTENTS— (Continued)
Page
Number of Retail Lumber Yards 69
Costs and Selling Prices of Lumber 69
PRINCIPAL LUMBER TREES OP THE STATE 71
Western Yellow Pine 71
Western Larch 73
Douglas Fir 75
Lodgepole Pine 77
CONSUMPTION OF FOREST PRODUCTS 80
Dwellings 80
Farm Improvements 80
Office and Factory Buildings 80
Mining 80
Railroads 81
Irrigation 81
Summary 83
Per Capita Consumption 84
Cross Section of Lumber Consumption in Eastern Montana 85
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF THE LUMBER INDUSTRY 86
Investment in Business 86
Number of People Employed 88
Labor Costs of Handling Forest Products 89
Some Interesting Comparisons 91
WHAT THE STATE SHOULD DO FOR THE FOREST INDUSTRY
OF MONTANA 94
RECOMMENDATIONS—
Closed Season Fire Law With Permit System 96
Law Permitting Sale of Lodgepole Pine 96
Law Authorizing Sale of Live Timber in Limited Quantities,
Without Advertising 97
Law Requiring (Under Restrictions) Slash Burning 97
Appropriation for FORESTRY BUILDING 97
AEROPLANE FOREST FIRE PATROL 98
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