The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-04

TO believe we can obtain upon the construction
OF the canal we, in short time viii control
the lumber trade of the United States. This,
oil course, means vast increase in the output,
a consequent greater number of people en-
ployed in the trade, and the permanent en-
hancement OF land values
know of no place on the Pacific Coast the
material interests of which would be so bene-
ticlally affected by this proposed cons truction
as Humboldt County, and we look forward to
1t with the brightest expectations.
In the meantime those interested capitalists
who can foresee these conditions which l have
indicated, are without much public attention
acquiring control OF these immense lumber
fields. 1t will be the problem of the future
Tor our State railroad builders, local syndicates
and people generally who are actively engaged
In building up and developing the State where
the lumber supply can be obtained but we
Will aliZe then that we have allowed others
to control this great resource OF nature and as
result will have 10 pay a heavy tax for the
development OF our State.
Our dairy interests are second in Importance.
The Mill lands are remarkable for the produc-
ton of grasses while the rich alluvial soils OF
all the year round, thus making a continuous
dairy season. We have gone into the creamery
business quite extensively. Our farming lands
are DIVIDED into small holdings a-d on the
whole there is no use TO which lands can be
applied with SO many assurances of steady
profits as that of dairy purposes. 1t is esti-
mated that our butter product amounts to
81 ,000. 900 per annum.
The lands OF Eastern Humboldt are well
adapted TO fru1t culture. They are now being
largely used for the grazing of cattle and sheep
The cattle business this last year showed some
signs of revival, but the general prostration of
the wool industry has seriously affected this
line OF trade and consequently our land values.
Nature has generously given us productive
lands upon which sheep can Craze and grow
wool OF the best quality which in former years
yielded handsome profit to the sheep-raiser.
but Cleveland has overcome it all and now the
number of sheep man may have is only the
evidence of his poverty.
Taking into consideration these great re-
sources / have mentioned, the valuable fish
cries, the many miles of gold-bearing sands of
our coast now attracting caDital, the ship
building business. which is OF no small i'm
portance the fruit production, which in re-
cent years have assumed considerable magni-
tude, and the industry OF our people, all make
Humboldt County one of the first counties of
the State. Now that our harbor is being greatly
improved by the jetties construction at the
mouth of Humboldt Bay, for which there is
an appropriation OF over million dollars, all
we lack is railroad communication with the
outer world. This is our most pressing need.
The prospects for relief are not the best.
assume that the "Donahue road" will be in the
course of time extended to Eureka. But this
will not be done until the advent of some
such enterprising and publc-spirited citizen
like Claus Spreckels upon the scene.