Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1862-06-04

Correspondence Of the Gazette.
Pennsylvania I1teycsts-Paasyloaaia Lum6er
Trade-A PsaRsyiranu Geatleman-A
Pennsylvania Saw NIL.
YORK, Pa, May 80, 1862.
There is no State in the Union TOR out of
it cther) which possesses So many natural
resources Of wealth and trade as Pennsylva-
MIA. Her rich farming lands, inaxhaustible
beds of iron ore, vast coal fields, prolific oil
wells, and unbounded forests of timber, give
constant employment to her hardy yeomanry,
and contribute no little to keep the world
a moving" Her lumber trade is, perhaps,
second to that of Maine only. The northern
and northwestern parts of the State abound
in vast forests of hemlock, pine and oak,
which are felled by the sturdy arms of the
mountaineer woodchoppers, and, during the
Spring freshets, floated down the Allegheny
or Susquehanna, in the shape of immense
RATS, which are sold to dealers at various
points along the route. Some idea of the vast
amount of lumber thus yearly disposed of,
and the operations of the trade, may be given
by a short description of one of the many
mills engaged in manufacturing it into build
ing material, &c. A short time ago, by invi-
tation of Mr.. G. j. Weiser. of the firm of
Small, Bender & Co., of this place, accom-
panied him to their =" Atlantic Mills" situa
ted on the Susquehanua midway between
York and Harrisburg. Mr.. W., by the way,
is what call good specimen of Pennsyl
vania gentleman-full of affability, sociability
and hospitality. Nor is he wanting in that
popularity of the Pennsylvania race, goa
headitiveness. He can conduct the affairs of
a large business firm. superintend the work
Of farm, boss a saw mill, and talk Dutch.
He would make frstrate member of the
Legislature, also, if he was not quite so hon.
est But to return to my description of the
mills | visited. They were erected in 1853,
at a cost of about $4,000. The principal
building is 55 feet in width and $50 in length,
with brick engine house attached. In the
latter is a steam engine of 20 horse power,
with four boilers which drives all the machln-
cry contained in the mills. There are forty
three saws in the establishment, all of which
can be set in motion at the same time. Two
muley saws, each making $50 motions to the
minute, are used in the manufacture of bill
stuff One gang of thirty-two saws is used
for cutting plank, scantling, &C., and another
gang of four saws for making siding. Besides
these, there are number of circular saws,
used for edging and cross cutting, boiling and
cutting lath, ETC.. and one slab saw. All are
admirably arranged to promote economy and
despatch. Nothing is lost. From the slabs,
as they come off the logs, a thin board is sawn
What is then left is cut up into plastering
lath. The waste that remains, together with
the saw dust serves as fuel to feed the engine.
The business of this firm is very large. They
buy, manufacture and sell, annually, about
5000, 900 feet of lumber. They dispose of
large quantities fer snip and car building, and
for almost every purpose for which it is used.
At present they are furnishing the Govern
ment with all they can supply, to follow Gen.
McClellan's army, by whom it is used to re-
build the bridges burned by the rebels. W..