POPLAR.

Section 14. Competition met by poplar producers.

Poplar competes with a number of different species. Its most active competitors vary in different markets and at different times. It either crowds out some higher priced wood, or is itself crowded out by some cheaper wood. For certain uses it may have but few competitors, while for others it may have a dozen. During the early period for which the Bureau shows prices lumbermen frequently spoke of poplar being substituted for white pine. Even in such a white-pine center as Buffalo poplar had become an active rival of white pine along several lines, but with the radical advance of poplar prices in 1903, white pine regained much of the trade previously lost to poplar. When poplar prices fell, it again slowly regained its trade. Poplar trees grow larger than other species east of the Rocky Mountains, and wherever wide boards are required it has been a prominent wood. Wide boards from 17 to 28 inches are furnished to the trade in .considerable quantity, and their quality is such that they naturally succeed the high-grade white pine. Wide-panel stock, which is used in the manufacture of carriage bodies, has not had any serious competitors, although some manufacturers are using cottonwood as a substitute. Wide boards, however, for certain uses are obtained from the Pacific coast.

In pattern work poplar has a strong position, but white pine is still a favorite. In porch columns poplar competes with cedar and fir in many markets.

Box factories have used poplar, and in this field there are many substitutes.

As poplar followed in the wake of white pine, so cottonwood and basswood have followed poplar. Any radical advance in price of poplar has brought about a return to the woods for which poplar was substituted and enabled cheaper woods to enter the field formerly held by poplar. Following the year 1903 even architects and builders called for substitutes for poplar.

Section 15. Conditions in production of poplar.

As has already been stated, poplar is chiefly produced in the Appalachian Mountain States. The finest trees grow in deep coves of the mountainous section of these States, and much of the timber is difficult to reach. No pure stand of poplar exists. From 1,000 to 2,500 feet per acre is considered a good stand of poplar. It grows among oak, chestnut, beech, ash, walnut, and other species, and a few large poplar trees per acre are often all that is found.

When logs are cut near good driving water the expense is not exceptionally high, but when logging operations are carried on