The Arizona champion., 1884-06-21
FLAGSTAFF'S BONANZA.
The Mills and Yards of the
 Ayers Lumber Co.

the Ayers Lumber Co.,, a representa-. tive of the CHAMPION paid visit to that hive of industry, and was con ducted through the mill and yards by 1 Supt. Riordan. That gentleman is an old frontier journalist, having aided in the pioneer work of bringing to notice the advantages of the iron. tier, in mining and agriculture. Hav- ing served his apprenticeship to that calling in Chicago, it is unnecessary to remark that he possesses that West tern attibute to business, in its best sense -"a rustler," combined with a determination to conduct business on square principles. Having "nose for news" he knew our wants and in. yited us to proceeded at once to the office. Here he produced profile of the yards adJoiningthe mill and which the company is now busily engaged in re-arrangiEg. Heletsfore no special attention has been devoted to this de. partment, but in future all lumber will De piled with view to ease of handling and drying. the piles being built in regular form to get the benefit of the prevailing winds, while the avenues will be left clear with simi. lar view. Each size and quality of lumber will be assorted and piled up separately, in excellent shape, instead of promiscuously, as heretofore. mak- ing a better appearance, utilizing space, and curing quicker, points Of great value. The plan embraces five main avenues, with eight cross streets, and when completed will give them yard they may we'll feel proud of. A walk through as far as arranged can not fail to convince one of the utility of this change.
 From the office the mill was the next point, but stoppage to overhaul the machinery forbid the opportunity o{ testing our adamantine cheek on a buzz saw. Mr. R. informed us. how ever, that the mill is run for all there is in it, turning out on an average Co, 900 feet day of fine lumber, for freight cars for the Mexican Central R. K. The planers are kept hum- ming surtacing ,timbs- for the same road. The quality of this work pre- vents running both ciycular saws, but when running on common work, and both saws are turned loose, II IS no trick at all to rip out loo, 900 feet d day, which is cut over measure so that when dry it will be up to standard.
 Awalk down the run for conveying the lumber to the piles is another im- provement. Heretofore there was only one, and when the lumber was taken away from the floors of the saw and plane it had to be by means Of q steep grade, and dumped on the ground end foremost. This was de s,ructive and in muddy weather made 1t an unpleasant task to handle 1t. To obviate this two runs have been con structed, one from each floor, with side runs into each street, a saving Tn time, labor and lumber.
 The shingle and lath department IS a marked feature. They have on hand 1000, 1000 lath that cannot be beat on the coast. Also 2,ooo, 900 shingles of which the same may be said with out dispute. While there waFkmen were busily employed replling both the lath and shingles, and the center punches and bundles were as white and sound, and as bright and clear of xnots as the best Eastern we ever saw.
 The yards are we'll stocked with every variety and quality Of lumber, and the company intend to keep It so, and those in need can rest assured of having their orders filled promptly.
 Among the numerous assortments is one. of I,ooe, 900 feet of very clear mining timber, The company have no hesitancy in saying they defyits competition, and we'll they may, It was cut year ago and piled up ex- pressly for mine use. It is we'll sea soned, as dry as a bone, and of quality to make the eyes of an old Comstocker fairly water.
 The manufacturing of boxes is feature destined to grow into large proportions, the company intending to expand thls branch as soon as the shipping facilities are available.
 We might go on eaumerating the various minor enterprises of the wide awake firm of the Ayers Co.,, and in future issue will dwetl upon them, but an idea of the magnitude of the operationsof this house snay be gleaned from the number of employees on the pay roll, including logging, cutting, handling, etc., footing up nearly 400 names, which placing thelr wages even at the low average of $40 month each, is an item of vast importance to merchants and others, and should the company extend thelr operations, and everything points in that dlrec- tion, the era of prosperity in our midst will receive an impetus that cannot fail to be felt by all.