The volume of orders picked up in the eastern spruce lumber market yesterday, heavily influenced by distributor’s inventories. Traders looked for market direction trying to outguess the market and where prices might go. The importance for them was getting the orders now and worry about covering them later. The eastern mills stayed close to what they have been asking, generating some business, and trying not to lead a downward charge. Distributors on the other hand were more aggressive in directing business their way, applying inventories wherever and whenever possible.