232 RIVER LIFE. 



northward, including all its tributaries (not including the An- 

 droscoggin as one), one hundred and fifty saw-mills, several of 

 which, from Augusta down, are driven by steam. 



Averaging the various amounts of long lumber, as reported 

 from sources the most reliable, we report 66,900,000 feet as the 

 amount of long lumber sawed in one year, though not the inva- 

 riable amount, as this differs on all rivers more or less, as the 

 various influences to which this business is subjected operate. 

 The average price of long lumber has been variously estimated 

 by diflerent gentlemen who have given an opinion, but, from 

 the best evidences before me, I venture to put it down at $12 

 per M. 



But the question here occurs, and to my own mind with dis- 

 tinct impressiveness. Why is there so great a disparity in the 

 prices of long limiber on the Kennebeck and the Penobscot ? 

 This question I can not satisfactorily answer to myself, and to it 

 I venture but one suggestion in reply. The probability is, that, 

 in the wholesale slaughter (so to speak) of lumber on the Penob- 

 scot, there may be a larger proportion of the fourth, fifth, and 

 sixth qualities of lumber — as it is there distinguished — than on 

 the Kennebeck. 



Having made application to some of the most intelligent lum- 

 bermen on the Penobscot for a solution of this question, I may 

 yet be able to append such facts as the inquiry may elicit. 



From the best sources of information to which I have had ac- 

 cess, the following is furnished as a tolerable approximation to 

 the truth in relation to the amoimt and value of short lumber : 

 Laths, 17 millions, at $100 00 per M. = $17,000. 



Clap-boards, 4 " " 15 00 " " 60,000. 



Shingles, 26^ " " 2 50 " " 66,250. 



The "Gardiner Fountain" for January 28, 1848, reports the 

 following as the amount of the various denominations of lumber 

 manufactured at Gardiner and Pittston : 



