829 



bushels. Hay, say 15 tons per camp, or 1,685 tons in all. The men 

 employed get average wages of about ^17 jx-r month, aiul the teanis 

 (with teamsters) $30 to $35. 



We have experienced some difBculty iu obtaining ihcs«j statistics and 

 some of them are based upon the estimates of thoso best able to judge. 

 A number of the proprietors or supo^endants of the mills have not 

 furnished us the desired information, and we have been obliged to take 

 the next best authority. It is believed, liowever, that the aggregate 

 will not vary much from a correct statement. 



The statements are designed to embrace the Saginaw valley, or that 

 portion of it which finds an outlet through the Saginaw river. The 

 mills at Flint, Flushing, <i;c., are not included, because their product? 

 mostly find a market in the farming region south. 



There is an almost unlimited demand for lumber, and the Saginaw 

 lumber ranks among the best in (juality, and commands the highest 

 prices in the markets of Chicago, Cleveland, Buffalo, Albany, itc. By 

 far the greatest portion goes to Chicago. During the season of navi- 

 gation, the business of lumber transportation is important. The mill-- 

 are nearly all situated upon the banks of the rivers, and (with the ex- 

 ception of those above the head of navigation) the lumber is taken 

 directly from the mills upon the vessels or " lighters." The products 

 of the mills above are rafted down to Lower Saginaw, and probably 

 three-fourths of all the shipments of lumber are made from the latter 

 place, and nearly or quite half of the whole amount manufactured on 

 the river is made there. 



TABULAR STATEMENT 



Showing amount of lumber sawed on Saginaw River and branches 

 during the past season, 1855; also, number of saws run. and number 

 of men employed : 



BAST 8A0INAW. 

 MUlln and Proprietor!. Lumber Cut. I.aU>. Saw*. Men. 



Emerson Mill, Durfee & Atwater,. . . 2,500,000 500,000 t 22 



Durfee & Atwater's new mill, 3,500,000 800,000 A 24 



J. T. Copeland's mill, (run part season.) 600,000 2 10 



Wm. Gallagher's mill, new, •» 250,000 1 1 



