THE "big trees'' OP CALIFOENIA : YOSEMITE. 603 



In the recently published history of Sonoma County the names of 14 

 establishments are given, of which 1 has a daily capacity of 35,000 feet of 

 lumber ; 9 of 30,000 j 1 of 15,000 ; 2 of 12,000 ; and 1 of 10,000. Total, 

 354,000 feet a day, or 57,000,000 a season. Others are mentioned as 

 preparing to operate, and extensions of narrow-gaugo railroads were con- 

 templated, which would largely increase the production. It also gives 

 the following 



Tabulated Statement of Timher Resources hy Sections. 



Feet. 



Between Valhalla and Russian River 437,000,000 



Duncan's Mill Land and Lumber Company 216,000,000 



Russian River Land and Lumber Company 450,000,000 



Bodega country and north of Howard's Canon - 345,000,000 



Opposite Guerneville 35,000,000 



Hurlbut's Caiion, Big Bottom, Elliott's Cauon 350,000,000 



Marshall timber on MiU Creek 15,000,000 



1,848,000,000 



We have no means of verifying this estimate; but allowing a broad 

 margin for error on the most favorable side, the period of exhaustion is 

 not many years distant at best, and the subject should arrest the atten- 

 tion of capitalists in view of the large gain that may be realized in the 

 future, by arresting thoughtless waste, introducing economical methods, 

 and especially by carefully protecting the woodlands when once cut over, 

 and allowing them the best possible conditions for reproduction. 



The "big trees" of California {Sequoia glgantea). — These have 

 attracted widely the public interest, rather on account of their enormous 

 dimensions than their commercial importance. In fact, their very rarity 

 led the General Government, a few years since, upon the memorial of a 

 number of influential citizens of California and other sections of the 

 country, to except the more important groves then known and the 

 Yosemite Valley from sale, and to reserve them, under the care of the 

 State of California, as places of public interest.^ 



'The "Cleft" or "Gorge," in the granite peak of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, at 

 the headwaters of the Merced River, and known as the Yosemite Valley, estimated at 

 fifteen miles in length, with an average width of one mile back from the main edge of 

 the precipice on each side, was, by an act of Congress approved June 30, 1864, given 

 to the State of California, upon condition of its being held for j^ublic use, resort, and 

 recreation, and inalienable for all time. All iucomes from leases or privileges were to 

 be applied to preservation and improvement. 



By the same act, the tracts embracing what is known as the " Mariposa Big-Tree 

 Grove," not exceeding the area of four sections, and to bo taken in legal subdivisions 

 of one quarter sectioi each, were also given to the State, with like conditions as to 

 acceptance, inalienability, lease of privileges, and protection. Both these ce8j.ions 

 were to be managed by commii-sioners, consisting of tlie governor and eigbt others, to 

 be appointed by bim, and to serve without pay. 



This act was accepted by the State, in an act passed April 2, 1866, and commissioners 

 confirmed. They might ajipoint a guardian with a salary of not over $500, and the 

 State geologist was authorized to make a full survey and a statistical report. Penalties 

 were imposed for iujuries to timber, careless fires, &.C., and a small appropriation was 

 granted for expenses. The State has of late years allowed this trust to fall in arrears 

 in its financial matters, by omitting to appropriate the means for paying the salary of 

 its superintendent. It cannot, however, be supposed that it will permanently allow 

 these irregularities to continue. The title of the Yosemite property has been a sub- 

 ject of litigation, and, after a decision in the State courts in favor of the claimant, the 

 title has been affirmed to the government by the Federal courts. The generic name 

 of the " big trees," and of the redwood is T.erived from that of a Cherokee chief, whose 

 English name was George Guess. He was the inventor of a system of syllabic writing 

 which possessed such advantages and was learned with such facilities, that it speedily 

 became a means of written communication among his people, and is still used by 

 them. 



The " big trees" have in recent years been found in large quantities, and both largo 

 and small in size in the Sierras at iiom 4,500 to 8,000 feet above sea level. 



