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REDWOOD LUMBERING. 3! 



timber used is the same, as nothing but clear stuff is salable. 

 In fact, the percentage of redwood is so largely clear, there is 

 no particular object in manufacturing from second-class butts 

 or logs. Not only do all first-class redwood mills run shingle 

 in conjunction with lumber mills, but large capital is employed 

 in this line as a specialty. For eastern and foreign shipment, 

 only a small quantity of three-feet boards or shakes are in 

 demand. Mexico, South America and the Sandwich Islands 

 consume many thousands of shakes annually, but the prin- 

 cipal market is in the agricultural districts of California, Ari- 

 zona, and New Mexico. Redwood shingles are growing more 

 and more in favor in foreign markets, as their durability comes 

 to be understood. Since their first introduction in New 

 York and Boston, to which cities they were first shipped by 

 sailing craft around Cape Horn, the demand has increased 

 rapidly, and at this time they rank the highest among builders 

 as the best roof covering to be had. Imitations of slate-stone 

 of every variety of form are now manufactured, and when 

 painted tastefully present an appearance quite as pleasing to 

 the eye as the most expensive slate. In many respects they 

 are superior to slate for roofing purposes, particularly in regard 

 to repairing after a few years' wear and breakage, as experi- 

 ence has demonstrated to householders. With cheaper and 

 quicker transportation facilities, the time is not far distant 

 when redwood shingles, as well as other material manu- 

 factured from it, will take precedence in the lumber markets 

 of the world. And this can now be relied upon at an early 

 clay, as competing railways across the continent stretch out 

 their arms of steel in every direction, to secure business from 



