Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1890-01-01
A Move in the Right Direction.

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1t is also we'll known fact that large
proportion of the farming lands here
is as yet undeveloped and awaits the
coming of the energetic farmer. II
is also well known that there are in this
county millions and millions of feel
of hardwood, a great proportion Of
which is adapted for the furniture
making business.
Our present great industry, and
the principal one, is the manufacture
of pine logs into lumber. On thi:
pine industry depends at present the
business interests of the citizens OF
this city. The stock of pine timber
that is available for the city mills can
not last over FIVE years. After that
period has passed, the great industry
of Alpena city will cease, unless logs
are RATED from other parts of the
country.
There is no doubt in our minds
about the prosperity of Alpena twenty
years from now, by which time the
farming resources of this county
will develop themselves without any
assistance from capitalists. When the
county and adjacent country, whose
natural outlet is at this fine port, are
settled thoroughly, the business Great
ed thereby will, in our judgement,
maintain much greater city than
Alpena now is. 1t is not the condi-
ton of Alpena twenty years from
now that should concern the people.
1t is the future five and ten years
that should engage their earnest at
tention, and impel them to business
activity, to enterprise, and to COM
mence those things that will hasten
the growth of the county, and to start
industries that will take the place of
the pine industry. The pine industry
is limited to a few years, and that
fact can not be truthfnlly denied.
We are assured of but few
years more of prosperity from the
pine tree. 1t has done great work to-
ward developing this city and county,
and during the next five years it will
continue to give further assistance
Now is the time to prepare for the
danger ahead. Now is the time to
commence those enterprises that will
step into the breach caused by the
decrease of the lumber business.
There is good field here for new en-
terprises. Alpena's harbor is not
surpassed on the chain of lakes. She
has thousands and thousands of acres
of fertile farming lands, as yet I'M
harnessed to supply the wants and
necessities of man. She has mex
haustible quarries of building stone.
Her fisheries are as good as any on
the western shore of Lake Huron.
She has immense forests of hardwood.
The climate here in summer can not
be surpassed, and taken for the en-
tire year, is not excelled for health.
fulness by any section of the coun-
try. Alpena's natural advantages
are first class. Her soil will produce
as good crops of wheat, oats, peas.
barley, buckwheat, etc, as any other
portion of the United States. The
potatoes and garden produce grown
here can not be excclled. The or
chards Of the county produce luxur-
liant crops of apples, plums, cherries
pears, etc. Other fruits, such as
strawberries, blackberries and buckle
berries are grown abundantly. The
county is well watered. The fine
harbor here gives the citizens an easy
way of communicating with other
sections of the country.
Already one industry, Independent
of the pineries, is in successful oper-
alton we refer to the Fletcher pa
per pulp factory. 1t is expected that
by next fall a second industry will be
in operation, which is the manu-.
facture of -four, thereby saving some
$4,000, which amount during the
past has been generously thrown
as gift to other places. There is
some talk of starting a third indus
try-the furniture manufacturing
business.
This is the kind of enterprise that
must be commenced here, if the citi-
zens desire their cityto prosper. The
country roads must be improved.
Railroads must be extended into the
counties back of us, to develop the
lands and bring their commerce to
this market. Factories must be erect
ed. The farming lands that are now
vacant must be occupied and con-
verted into fertile farms.
There is great work ahead, and
those who intend to make their homes
here must join in this movement and
give hearty support to make Alpena
city and county flourish with prosper
ity. What is wanted is the same
kind of enterprising spirit that was
manifested in the years gone by.