466 



are in many instances projected, if not already put in process of execu- 

 tion. Lands are held at advanced rates, but prospects for future emol- 

 ument, growing out of that species of property, are so fair, that trans- 

 actions of considerable importance have taken place at present prices* 

 Unusually large quantities, especially of such as are valuable for timber, 

 have been entered within the last twelve months, in this and the coun- 

 ties north, some for the purpose of speculation, and some for the pur- 

 pose of cariying on lumbering operations. 



It will be obsei'ved that the value of the various descriptions of lum- 

 ber sent from this point, including shingles and staves, is more than 

 double that of all other items in the aggregate. Farther north, the 

 people are almost entirely engaged in procuring supplies for the lumber 

 market ; but we have no figures at hand that will show the precise 

 amount of their exports for the year. The amount of sawed lumber 

 turned out from Muskegon alone, has been set down at 38,000,000 ft., 

 and we may safely estimate that exported fi-om Ottawa, and the two 

 counties attached thereto, as high as 120,000,000 feet, worth at the 

 place of shipment over $900,000. Lath, shingles, timber and posts, great 

 amounts of which have been shipped, are not embraced in this compu- 

 tation, as we are not furnished with sufiicient data, on which to base a 

 judgment in reference to these articles. 



The lumber trade has certainly much to do with the prosperity of 

 Western Michigan. It gives employment to crowds of men, creates a 

 demand for agricultural products, and almost entirely sustains the com- 

 merce that now exists on the adjacent waters. Ah-eady important, it 

 gives promise of continuing to be the absorbing interest of our citizens, 

 even on a more enlarged scale, for many years to come. So long as 

 the forests hold out, we may safely predict that business transactions 

 in this portion of the State, will be characterized for their great activ- 

 ity, quick returns, and handsome cash profits. Numerous railroads in 

 process of construction on the other side, are fast extending the area 

 of the market, and a rapid growth of population is there creating wants 

 that will soon be altogether beyond the present means of supply. Notwith- 

 standing the vast yield from the pineries, the lumber yards of Chicago 

 were never before so thoroughly cleared at the same season of the year, 

 and never before were the prospects for an increased demand so fl.atter- 

 ing as at the present time. 



