El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1898-10-22
THE TIMBER OF THE SIERRA MA
DIRE.
Mexico Will Soon Begin to Utilize
the Forests at Home.


In the north western part of the state
OF Chihusbus Mexico, along the Sier-
ra Madre, lies al exten-ive belt OF pine
timber II is the only pine timber
iu northern Me vico, aud the belt Is one
OF the largest aud most import ant in
the republic. Toe region where this
pine occurs has until late years bee n
a most unknown. It vas overrun by
Apaches; IL was very hard to enter ow-
ing to The absen of wagon roads or
railways. II had never been surveyed
and mapped: much less had 1t been
thoroughly ADD sc'eut' ticslly eAploi ed
with u view to finding out It's real re-
sources.
Ten years ago the Mormous com.
memo d to enter the country, establish
towns and farms. and go out toto the
hills for the timber and mineral de-
posits. To them Is due the
credit OF driviog the entering
wedge. The little rift has continue
to widen until now railroad reaches
nearly TO the timber belt, and excel
Lent wagon roads continue into the
timber.
The belt is from 10 to so miles wide
and follows in &c neral the course OF
the continental divide. 1t is at its
b 9, from the Rio Piedras Verdes TO
Rio Arcs. IL is at present impractic-
ab Q for the railroad TO extend from
TerraZas, its present terminus, to Pa
checo, over the noun ain into the tim
Der belt. But IL would be better to
bring the timber to the railroad and
work IL up there, rather than try to
manufacture finished products where
the timber stands and transport
them TO the Railroad for shipment For
the rate for hauling in wagons over
the mountain would eat up the profits.
Conseq ien ly, should plan be revised
that would afford schesp tr,nsportati,
z@s, the problem would be greatly sim
plided.
few months ago party represent
ing New York cap talists returnt to Ill
Paso after thorough exam nation OF
the mber resources Of the section no
der discussion. The umber expert oil
the pa, " was Mr.. James +. Atkinson,
OF Newfou udland. Mr.. Atkinson has
had nearly 40 years experience in the
timber business aud il thoroughly fam
ilisr with log driving. His conclusions
therefore, are worthy OF all confidence.
Following il q summary OF his report: ,
We found the river at Terrazas well I
suited TO the establishment OF u mill |
with storage booms at that point. We
followed the river Pedras Verdes
throughout its whole length about 20
miles from Colonis Juarez to the
sourcel We found 10 the river
many boulders, some of large size,
cases as these the boulders must be
blown up and deposited in the deep
holes caused by the Instructions, while
wing ANS must be established where
necessary TO divert the water into
single channel. There are frequent
stretches Of river where the water runs
freely aud smoothly and In good guam
THY. There are no bad turns 10 the
river and no waterfalls. l believe the
river could be placed in perfect condi-
ton for log driving purposes, which
would include clearing out obstructing
rocks, trees, and bushes, establishing
wing dams, c., for twenty-five To
thirty thousand dollars. AS the river
would not be practicable for driving at
present above point some 10 miles or
more below the source, i would re-
commend the building OF Arriving dam
at the foot OF Meadow valley Ia small
open plain enclosed by a rim of high
land at the river's sJurce), at q cost
not exceeding $1,000. This would extend
the river into n tract contsining twelve
to fifteen millions OF feet OF first class
lumber, and would furnish q cheap
method of transportation.
Along the river there is much tim Der
which now Ia measure oDstructs it.
but which could be used for railroad
ties aud frewood ss IL was cleared out.
There are perhaps 10, 900 cords OF fire.
wood and many thousands OF ties that
would be thus obtained.
Much OF the best of the tim Der lies !
80 far from the head of the river that
af err time 10 will become advisable !
to establish system OF tramwsys to |
reach out into the timber from Meadow
Valley, or from Pacheco. Tt - IN be
easily aud cheaply done, and ~ coca |
sion equires, the track can 10. lifted
At little expense.
fou d large amount Of ye low !
- Nnh MI n g
every purpose. Trees that would cut
20 to 50 feet, and Il 70 20 inches in III
ameter at the top, OF good sound lum-
Der clear OF knots, were ~ frequc
occurrence. found also much BLACK |
lack" or pi'ch pine, excellent for tic,
bridge timbers, aud mine tim hers. Be-
sides these there Il very fine quail y |
of white pine-strOug, tough, and com
paratively free from gum. There a !
large second growth under way, VIII n |
iusures permauency. The woods are
,obeu aud free from brush or 9th ' Oh
structious, aud on that account eu-y 20
work and not likely to be greatly Jam
AGED by fires.
Careful observations should DE taken
TO determine II the river during
the rainy season remains at high
level long enough TO enable success
full drive TO be made. That point once
established, would not state tn re-
commend the river "a the most valu-
able highway for logging purposes.
SO Tar Mr.. Atkinson. Now a 70 the
business openings suggested by the
foregoing. Until very recently very lit
tie lumber has been used in the north
of Mexico. What has been used was
brought from the states AZ large ex-
peuse. Within ten years. as every BODY
knows. there has been a great awaken
ing In business activity 10 the neigh
boring republic. R-ilro DIS have been
built, factories, smelters, foupdries es-
tablished. These things have required
lumber for build pPs, boxes, cars, ties,
bridges, piles, telegraph and teleph one
poles, fences, shingles. interior fit
tings, and furniture. Every stick OF
this has come out OF the United States.
Rough cheap boxes for packing soap
on the border near FL Psso have come