The Placer herald., 1857-03-14
Coon Creek Correspondence.
Coon CREEK, March 5th. 1857

Mr. Editor:-Having finished seeding and
nothing much to do until harvest, we will
look around, like prudent farmers, and see
what place will afford us the best market.
Shall we be forced another season to haul
our grain to Grass Valley and Nevada to
find market-and in return bring our fenc-
ing lumber from another county-one that
will build up mills, when there is a plenty of
lumber near and more easy Of access-and
as good market for our grain if we had the
mills to manufacture it!
Are there no men of nerve and capital
that will take hold Of the enterprise and
push it through in California style?
Possessing the resources of water which
can be had any where along the Bear River
Ditch, at a trihing expense, what is to pre-
vent it? Though Placer county will raise
enough grain for her own consumption,
under her present arrangement of things,
scarce pound of it will be used, but we
shall draw our supplies from other sources,
while the prodnce of home must be carried
abroad to be manufactured.
The Touring business can be carried on
much cheaper, and at greater profit to the
operator at home than elsewhere. For in
stance, there are twenty-five farmers on this
Greek, who will in the aggregate cultivate
not less than 1900 acres of wheat, which
at thirty bushels per acre, will give us 1000
bushels Of grain, and at one cent per pound
or 81 per hundred, for grinding, will amount
to the handsome sum of $4,000, which will
90 into the hands Of men in another county,
while the remainder of the farms on the
Plains and the ranches in the mountains,
with what will come from other counties
will be sufficient to supply one mill the entire
season. A mill that will manufacture 100
barrels per day, running 200 days in the year,
will grind 100000 pounds Of wheat, and
at the above rates will amount to the hand
some sum of 100000. This may be done
with Merchant Mil, that need not cost
more than $4,000, with 49, 900 contingent
expenses-which ought to cover all expense
and will leave then to the operator the sum
of $4,000 clear.
Now all this is within the bounds Of reason,
and as a large profit deserves the attention
OF men Of enterprise, and be better pay than
an Indifferent quartz ledge. Thus a ready
market can be found at home-Placer is
the fourth county in the State in point Of
population, yet she is far behind Nevada in
enterprise, the latter has two fine Touring
mills, that have realized fortunes to the own
ers this season. The peculiar localities for
mills and the convenience of the grain and
ready market, offers a fine opportunity to
men of capital to invest.
This estimate will, think, fall far below
the true resources of the grain crop this sea-
son. for in this vicinity in 10 miles square,
there are no less than 5000 acres in grain,
which at the average of 25 bushels per acre
and three cents per pound, will amount to
$225,00O. And all of this produce will 90
to build up the wealth Of another county,
and the farmers on returning home from
the mills at Grass Galley and Nevada, will
bring back loads of lumber to build fences
and houses-which, in all probability, lumber
to the amount this season Of more than three
hundred thousand feet.
All of this custom our lumbermen are
deprived Of This sale of lumber would
amount to, perhaps, a million of feet annu-
ally, if there was a right mill in the vicinity,
and market nearer to home; and at the
same time release us Of monopoly that
is heavily felt by the grain growers. Though
flour is selling at this time at the Bay, for
from $l3 to $l6 per barrel and wheat from
3 l2 to Is cents per pound; yet at Grass
Valley they are only paying cents for the
best article of wheat, which is not what it is
worth below, say nothing about the transpor-
tation, which is worth from 2 to cents per
pound.
Now hope the citizens of Auburn and
vicinity will take the matter under consider
alton, and at once build us mill, that will
add wealth to the county, profit to the own
ers, and be God-send to the farmers.
TRIPTOLEMUS