Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1875-04-14
The Spring Prospect for the
Log Crop.
From the Lumberman's Gaz,

A long and dreary winter ma
come at last TO an end, and we pre-
sumo TO say, to the regret of M
one. Even those who in the fal
were most ardently DESTROYS o
plenty Of snow fall, have had theil
prayers answered until they were
constrained to sing ont enough
Never in the history of the North.
West since it became the place Of
abode Of the hardy pioneer has So
severe q winter been recorded.
Since the 18th Of January and up
to tho middle of March, scarce n
day has been without its snow fall,
until with continued intense cold
il seemed rs though Prof. Winchel's
theory and allegory of the last two
men on the face Of the earth facing
cach other while the life blood
froze in their veins, and they sue
cumbed as had all others, was to
be realized. During the past week,
however, the kindly rays of the
sun have dissipated the snow. the
freezing has given place to a genial
atmosphere, and the long winter
is over. And with what result!
So far as the answer to this CUES
ton interests the lumber trade of
this region and all who are connec-
ted with it we can say favorably.
From all tho information we can
gather we are satisfied that the
production OF logs in the country
tributary to the Saginaw Valley,
will aggregate in quantity far be-
low the figures of former years,
although largely in access of the
requirements of the country, in
view of the universal prevailing
depression in oil departments of
trade. The time has now come
when the effect Of this large pro-
duction can be safely analysed,
and it has become the settled con-
viction Of these well qualified to
judge, that bnt = small proportion
Of the winters cut can safely be
counted upon as influencing the
seasons trade. The vast bodies OF
snow have disappeared, leaving the
earth bare and thirsty, while yet
the rivers are filed with ice, upon
which travel is considered safe.
The water formed by the snow
has penetrated the earth which is
yet damped To but few inches in
depth, and will still require copious
rain falls to restore t. its normsl
and usual quantity of moisture.
While the frost is not out OF the
ground the surfaces Of the fields
are as void of watery gatherings
as in summer, and in many places
the roads are actually becoming
dry. bitches and creeks contain
only small quantity ofwater, con-
sisting only Of such as could not
penetrate the earth on account
Of frost. The main streams are
still solid, and the reservoirs may
be said TO be exhausted, with the
logs all in statu quo.
Where the smaller streams have as
in some few instances, as at the
head waters OF the Cass aud Flint
broken up, and the solid ice of the
Saginaw and for long distance up
the main streams, acting rs dam
has caused slight overflow of low
places, yet not placing the streams
In condition for driving, and the
surplus water will probably run of
without forwarding log driving TO
any great extent. Near Midland
we hear Of one or two small creeks
which being free from ice and wa
ter during the winter have re-
ceiyed in their beds all available
surplus water without reaching
their usual spring size and volumn.
Should copious rains be expert
enced, breaking up the ice in the
main streams, there would undoubt-
edly be considerable amount OF
driving, but as the frost leaves the
ground much water will be absorb
ed, and the amount to find its way
10 streams will be only such sur
plus rs cannot with sufficient rapid
IT, Pcnetrats the ground. OF the