The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1856-04-17

W JUSTLY ihis couciusicb, VIII slaH some iacu
In this district there are saw mills that saw an
entire log by once running through, and 90 ar
ranged that one log follows another eontinu-
oosly, without loss Of time. AZ one Of the
mills, circular saw, for makins flooring and
sencing, cuts both ways, that is, as tho carriage
moves One way, the saw cuts in its downward
motion, and as it returns, the saw cuts on tue
opposite side in its upward motion Besi1es
these, we have machines Tor planning, flooring
and siding, making shingles, Hath, doors, SASH,
wagons seighs, &c, 10 which may add. the
large and increasing business Of logging in the
pneries. 1t has been estimated that 100 0O0.-
600 feet Of pine lumber in the log, we're put
into the different streams in this district, within
the present year, which a, $40 PER n. feet, the
estimated value, amounts to one million OF dol
lars. Interspersed through the entire pine
country are exeelen, lands for agriculture, ip
good proportions, so that the million Of dol
lars annually. as resources from the pine, is SO
much in addition to the resources Of an en-
eiusiusiy agricultural d,aria, aud barinouizes
well rs basis for n home market.
" l may add that this distliGt invites the
commerce OF the East 10 common Northern
centre, in stronger terms than any other local.
ty on the Mississippi, az it has on its borders
the heads OF navigation for that class Of stcam-
era plying between Pit,sburg. st. Louis and
St. Paul, which, by common consent, have
made the latter their common depot, and il con
tains oil the coun,ry--bcing the back bone
ridge Of the Uoion between the western ter
minus Of Lake Superior on the North and the
head Of navigation OF the father OF waters on
the South, and is the shortcs, route between
the Northern and Southern navigation
The st. Croix. which forms the eastern
boundary Of the saltwater district, presents
great advantages 70 the lumberman and the
manufacturer. The numbering business is now
prosecuted on that river and its tributaries, 10
greater extent than il Is on any other branch
Of the Mississippi The numbering business of
the present year will exceed in amount that Of
any proceeding year---and when proper stats
:.- ,---ss-s ... :. .ss- ysAsc, :.hQ sssssls.
of the labors Of the umbermen, will exceed
in value the estimates Of the most sanguine.
! Siuk Rapids D,st,,ci, The country lying
on the Mississippi above the Falls. though un-
equallcd in fertility and and natural advan,a-
ges, has not increased 50 rapidly in population
and wealth as the southern portion Of the Ter.
ritory The reason for this Is obvious and is
70 be found in the fact that the upper country
has been without the proper means Of afford.
ing the emigrant speedy aud cheap convey
sncc to its fertile prairies. aud beautiful wood
lands. But the coming season will change the
appearance Of the upper Mississippi country.
A road has been constructed from the west end
Of Lake Superior to the Mississippi, and il is
not improbable that a large emigration will be
diverted TO Benton and the surrounding coun-
ing summer. Mr. W. II. WOODS, Of the Sank
Rapids Land Office, in his communication TO
the PIONEER AND DENocRAr, in referring to
this subject says that several parties this win
ter (lSj55G) have reconnoitercd the country
TO ascertain the prac,cabty Of m Immigrant
| Road connecting the lake with the river. An
parties report most fayorably Of the enterprise.
A delightful country bordering upon Mile Lac,
and hitherto but little known, has been brough,
to notice by these operations. All parties
unite in pronouncing the land, the entire dis.
lance, admirably adapted for the construction
Of road. The distance from Sank Rapids to
Fond du Lac, lake Superior, by Mile Lac, ia
30 miles a direct line crosses Rum river Is
miles below Mile Lac Recent surveys have
been made from Grow Wing, Little Falls, and
st. Cloud. A road is already in progress Of
construction from Superior 10 Mile Lac and
little doubt is entertained Of its continuance
and early completion 10 the Mississippi. The
construction OF this thoroughare, now so much
needed by the settlers both at the lake and on
the river will greatly contribute to the early
settlement Of the entire country intervening"
VIZ. W btpS aso stt- upWu tuc itlCTta>e OF
of his district, in population, at 100 per cent
He says of the population that they are in
dustrious enterprsing, and money making. -
The larger portion Of the settlers are Amcr
cans. There are two large German settlements
one in the vicinity Of ST. Cloud the other on
St Josephs Prairie, on Sank rivcr--bo,h on
the west side of the Mississippi. There are
many Canadians at Irish and Scotch there
are lew.
or the lands in the Sank Rapids district
that remain SUBJECT to private entry, great
proportion consists of good farming land. well
watcrej. and eligibly situated Much choice
prairie land remains yc, subject to private en-
try, near the Mississippi river This land
makes excellent farms with comparatively little
labor; and wood for building and fencing. cnu
always be secured within REASONABLE distance
In speaking Of the agricultural advantages
OF the Sank Rapids district, Mr. Woops saws
it is cminently an agricultural District. In
this respect, in truth, i, has no superior any
whcrc. The prairie land is Of superior quail.
~. The prairles are numerous. hut small, and
always within short distances OF good wood
and pure water The remaining lands are ha-
Eel-b bush and timberd lands iIarel.bush land
has been found most excellent for the raising