the timber upon its surface, reserving soil for
the benefit of those, who, as the means of communication are opened,
will come in and possess it, and thus introduce industry and
prosperity into our waste places.

We have not the figures at hand, but it is probable that at least
one-tenth of the area north of the Grand River is embraced in the pine
region. The swamp lands granted to the State will probably cover
nearly double the area of the pine lands proper. The remainder for the
most part is covered with a magnificent growth of hard timber suited
to the necessities of our growing population and commerce.

The statistics herein furnished will give some idea of the importance
and value of the lumber traffic in this States. The trade in pine
timber, lumber, shingles and other varieties of lumber, with the
traffic in staves form one of the most important branches of
manufacture and commerce in our own State, and this trade alone is now
accomplishing more for the development and settlement of the country
than all other causes in operation.

The lumber manufactories in Detroit and its suburbs are eleven in
number. The following are the names of the proprietors and the amount
cut last year by each:

FT. LUMBER. PCS. LATH.
H. A. & S. G. Wight 6,500,000 2,220,000
Samuel Pills 3,500,000 482,000
-- Moffat (est) 1,500,000
H. B. Benson 3,254,029
W. Warner & Co. 194,370
Brooks & Adams 3,800,000
Baughman, Hubbard & Co. 3,378,080 1,043,300
Kibbee, Fox & Co. 3,000,000 800,000
N. Reeve 800,000 20,000
Davis & David 2,000,000
Copeland 1,000,000
---------- ---------
Total 29,426,479 4,745,300

The aggregate of capital employed by these mills is $1,440,000. The
above amount is no criterion of their capacity. The same mills cut
46,000,000 feet in 1856, and nearly the same in 1857, and their
probable capacity is 54,000,000. Warner & Co., run their mill only
about five weeks last year, and are now about retiring from business.
One of the others sustained a temporary loss of business by fire. The
product will in the aggregate be doubled next season.

The logs sawed in Detroit are procured from St. Clair River, Black
River, Mill Creek and, Belle River. As a large share of that sold