251 



petition with the skill and capital of other cities and States. And here 

 Detroit need have no apprehensions, as the works of past years suffi- 

 ciently evince the superior skill of her mechanics, sending forth num- 

 ber of elegant low pressure engines, without a single failure, while 

 scarcely another lake city ventured the experiment. 



We hope soon to see the Iron from the rich Lake Superior deposits, 

 manufactured here at home, into every form for which it is required. 

 The amovmt even now consumed and sold is near six hundred tons, 

 which would be indefinitely increased if it were within the reach of me- 

 chanics. Large quantities of the ore, or rather pure native Iron, have 

 been brought down, but had to pass by us for want of works for its 

 manufacture at this city. A rolling mill prepared for every kind of 

 work, up to the heaviest Railroad Iron, will be a very profitable invest- 

 ment. In this connection, we also notice with pleasure, the preparations 

 for extensive Locomotive Works, and predict that the energy of the cor- 

 porators will be amply rewarded. 



The Copper interests of Detroit and Michigan are too important to 

 be passed unnoticed, but, as we have not full data at hand, we will omit 

 a mention of them for the present, except a single item. In one of the 

 machine shops mentioned above, there were used twenty-five tons of 

 Lake Superior Copper for their brass work, and large quantities in the 

 others. 



LUMBER. 



This is one of our great staples, and must continue to be such for a 

 long time to come. The forests of pine, covering a large part of our 

 Peninsula, afford lumber of a superior quality, which is becoming noted 

 in all the principal markets. Within a year or two there has been a^ 

 marked improvement in prices for all grades, both for home consump- 

 tion and exportation. The manufacture and shipment are mostly car- 

 ried on along the St. Clair River, Lake Huron, and about Saginaw. 

 There are, however, in the city, ten mills, which cut during the year: 



Lumber, 32,950,000 feet. 



Lath, 15,877,600 " 



Besides this, there was sold from yards having mills elsewhere, C,958,- 

 886 feet, making a total of Lumber of 39,908,886 feet, worth on an 

 average $13 50 per M., or about $520,000 00 



The Lath at $2 per M., 31,755 20 



