Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-05-19

this is too great in one single fall for all
ordinary purposes, in all probability the
fall will be divided, making two falls of
thirty-fve feet each. simultaneously with
the building OF the canal from the dam to
Robbers Ravine Mud Sink by the convicts,
the company will plan the work between
that place ard the Folsom terminus. 1t is
more than probable that one or two facto-
riea may be built by the Folsom Water
power Company in order to prove the
availability of their canal, bat their main
idea is to either sell or lease the power.
One great desire Of the company is to see
carpet mill established, there being at pres
ent not one in this State, although the ma
iority of the wool raised in this State is
carpet wool, and is eagerly sought by the
proprietors of carpet mills in the East
1t is said that the main reason for the
absence of mills OF the classes mentioned
above from this coast is the cost of steam
power.
SOME MANUFACTURES PROPOSED.
A carpet mill and Touring mills are not,
however, the only kinds projected at this
point. Distant some thirty miles from Fol-
som is one of the finest sugar-pine forests
in the world, the timber Of which up to
the present time has never been utilized
1t is now proposed to go extensively into
the business of logging in this forest, using
Eastern methods. The logs, when they
reach Folsom, will be sawed into timber
and sash and door factory will be built
10 utilize the timber. At the present time
there is q market on this coast, III Australia
and the islands of the Pacific and also on
the western coast of South America for
twice the amount Of goods of this descrip-
ton tina are now turned out, and it is ex-
pected to be very profitable investment
II Is usual in most factories of this descrip-
ton to use the refuse for firing, and in this
manner, the cost of coal-a great item-is
done away With, although the danger from
fire is increased. The refuse in this in
stance will, however, be utilized in a man
ner novel in this State. At present the
piper mills on this coast are obliged to
import considerable wood-pulp from the
East, and even then they are not able to
supply the demand for paper in California.
Therefore, il has been determined to erect,
adjoining the door factory pulp mill
where the refuse of the factory can be
worked up. Again adjoining this there is
talk OF erecting paper mill, SO that all the
operations will be carried on at the same
place, thus avoiding the expense of trans
porting materials.
Slll another industrial experiment pro-
posed Is the erection of q silk manufactory.
The water power at Paterson, n. j., is con
siderably less than that of the American
river, but the largest silk manufacturing
interest in America has grown up there.
One OF the greatest difficulties to overcome
III this business is the changes of tempera-
ture, dry atmosphere also being necessary
for its successful carrying on. In the New
Jersey mills these desideratums are OBJ
tanned by artificial means, but at Folsom
The climate is similar to that in the south
OF France, and is equally as good, if not
better, for the successful pursuit of this in
dustry. One further advantage consists of
the tact that we are some three thousand
miles nearer the source of supply Of the
raw silk-China and Japan--and are, there
fore, in position to obtain the raw products
more cheaply. But it is the belief of the
majority of those interested in sericulture
in this State that we would, if sufficient in
ducements were given, soon be able TO pro-
duce all the silk necessary for home con-
sumption-or at least for use in the mills
on this coast.
STEAM VS.. WATER.PowER.
In this regard The remarks of gentle
man who has made u study of the subject of
power Tor driving machinery may not be
inappropriate. He said that the question
OF steam is question of coal, which is a
question OF expense. In ordinary times
good Sydney coal can be obtained at 81
per ton; add to this 81 per ton for unloading
and carriage, and it can DE laid down at the
mandatory for IS. Generally four pounds
per hour for each horsepower is burned
and the cost of maintaining a 250-horse-
power engine for year may be set down as
follows, the first cost OF the machinery be-
ing $4,000:
Maintenance, 10per cent. per year....... $1,000
Interest, per cent per year. 2,400
Salary engineer S. per day, for 800 days. 500
Salary fireman, So per day, for 800 days.. 900
Fuel, tons coal per ten houTs............ r. 900
Total 81, 500
According to the above statement, each
horsepower costs $S3 20 per year, or q
cents per day. In this connection il should
be remembered that the smaller the en-
CINE the greater, relatively, is the cost of
running it. The mills at Folsom will in
this respect have greater advantage over
those IN other towns, as the cost of power
Will be very much less. Ii is the intention
OF :he company to place in position q num-
Der OF turbine wheels, and ii is more than
probable that power will be furnished, By
means OF electricity to mills that are not
on the river bank. Il is expected that an
immense Touring interest will grow up
there, as the haul to Folsom, from the great
wheat-fieids of the Sacramento valley is
mach less than to any of the present
terminal points On the bay OF San Fran
CISCO
The only drawback which is likely to
occur is that the river should run dry, the
stream greatly diminishing in September
and October. There is no danger of this
occurring until the water-power is used
every hour in the twenty-four during these
months. Atpresent, however, the projectors
OF the enterprise do not expect that for
many years the run of the mills will be
over ten hours day, and they will have
water to spare ali through the year under
these circumstances. Should the need for
more water ever occur the supply can be
easily augaentedby making artificial lakes
or reservoirs on the headwaters of the
river in the mountains, where the large
surplus winter rainfall can be secured and
stored until it is needed and in this way.
also, the danger from freshets will be de-
creased. Altogether, the chances seem IA
vorabie for the rapid development of a
large manufacturing interest on the Ameri-
can river near Folsom
The water-poFer furnished by the Nerri-
mack river, al Lowell, Mass, aggregates
10000 horsepower, but the fall is only 80
feet. Yet it gives motion to looms and
spindles which furnish employment to
about 1900 operatives and has developed
a city OF over 0,0G9 inhabitants. The cap
ltal invested in manufactures depending
on the water power Of the river alone is
Gsrpr 81 2 0Qn 00O