Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 September 1896 — GREAT WOOD INTERESTS. [ARTICLE]

GREAT WOOD INTERESTS.

Not Much Used as Fuel, but Important in Manufactures. The use of wood for fuel has depre; ciated to a great extent within the past few years, and the indications are that the demand for it for such use will continue to grow considerably less for some time to come. Of course the farmer and the manufacturer close to wooded lands will continue the use of wood for fire because it is handy to procure and saves transportation charges. And while the use of wood for fuel has depreciated to such a great degree it has increased in uses in the manufacture! arts wonderfully. The greatest consumer in the new lines is the wood pulp mill. In this branch of industry the use of wood is enormous, exceeding 100,000,000 feet, board measure, a year in this State alone. The man who cuts timber for kindling weed is not the onlj’ sufferer. What he could not utilize for the market the charcoal burner placed in a pit and converted into charcoal. Charcoal burning did not require a great number of men, but still it made it necessary for some one to watch closely the pits to see that a Stray breeze or some other influence did not set the smoldering branches into flame. Many a pit of charcoal has been destroyed through the carelessness of the watcher. Charcoal consumption has fallen off at least *5 pet cent. The industries in which charcoal was employed have to a large extent found a cheaper or more convenient fuel. The tinsmith’s furnace is now fitted with a reservoir containing gasoline or other liquid fuel, and the charcoal bag is left in the shop. The confectioner now keeps his molding table warm with the flame of gas, where in former years nothing but charcoal would do. In this case it was not alone economy that was sought, but convenience as well. With illuminating gas. the heat can be regulated as desired. Gas has also displaced wood and charcoal in the culinary department for a "quick fire.” Gas stoves, as well as oil and naphtha stoves, are largely employed in the household, both for cooking and heating purposes. The cheapness of oil and gas, coupled with the convenient appliances for utilizing their heat, has worked an astonishing change in the consumption of fuel. In the manufacture of wood pulp New York State leads. Of 250 pulp mills in the United States more than 80 are in this State. Wisconsin holds second place as to the number of mills. Maine third, and New Hampshire fourth. This State not only has the greatest number of mills, but it has the largest mills as well, some of them having plants which, in size and capacity, are unequaled both in the United States and Europe. The Pulp mil) at Palmer’s Falls, on the Upper Hudson, with a capacity of 10.000,000 feet, board measure, and owned by the Hud son Pulp and Paper Company, is said to be the largest ever built. Eighty per cent, of the mills in this State obtain their supply of wood from the Adirondack woodlands. In view of the vast forest areas in other States, it seems strange that the capitalist should concentrate on New York and cause her to furnish the largest product of this class. And while the supply of wood pulp logs continues to diminish the product of wood pulp increases constantly. Some of the wood necessary is now being brought from Canada, but the percentage is very small when the aggregate of the product is considered.—New York Times.