Dear Editor,
This letter is directed to area landowners.
We are not receiving a fair price for our timber. Pine pulpwood is $13 - $15 a ton, chip-and-saw is $16 - $17 a ton, and saw timber is approximately $24 a ton. It takes 12-13 years to grow pulpwood, 26-28 years to grow chip-and-saw timber and about 33 years for saw timber. Chip-and-saw timber should be at least double that ($26 a ton) and saw timber should be at least $36 a ton.
We deserve a fair price for our timber since it takes such a long time to grow it. The only way we can get the price that the timber is worth is to stop selling until the price comes up. Timber growers, please get an independent appraisal before you sell so that you will know the value of your timber. It has been told that we will have a new saw mill coming to Orangeburg County. Competition is good for the business.

Sincerely,
George G. Bell,
Barnwell