The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-04-04
NO LACK OF TIMBER.
The County Rich in Woods for Man
ufacturing Purposes.

ufacturtng Purposes.
Rich in treasures of hard wood that
might be converted into the strongest and
most durable of furniture and implements,
it is a surprise that the forests of Chat
ham county have not been depleted by
manufacturers. Several times there has
been talk OF the establishment OF furni-
ture and farm implement factories to util-
lie the hard wood that may be secured
in abundance in the county but in only
two or three cases has the discussion re-
suited in tangible evidence that perfect
faith was reposed in the possibilities of
the industry. For years and years, mate
rial from which to manufacture could be
secured from the dense hard wood forests
of Chatham and adjacent counties. 1t Is
claimed that the demand for articles man.
ufactured from oak, hickory and other
such woods is so great that prices are
sustained at figures that mean great pro-
fit 10 the manufacturers. In those sections
where the factories have been long es-
tablished, there has grown to be a scare
ity of material, and it is necessary to pay
out considerable for freight rates for the
transportation of hard woods from a dis
tance. In a section, like that including
Chatham county, where the primeval for
ests of hard wood are untouched, this is
a source of expense that would be great
ly reduced.
1t has been urged that Savannah is not
a manufacturing city and that in the ma
ture of things. it could not be one. A
glance over a list of the manufacturing
enterprises that are successfully con-
Quoted in or near the city, however, would
seem to disprove the assertion and show
that IL not only could be, but is, a man
ufacturing city. Within the city limits,
or but a short distance removed from
them, are a number of manufactures,
furnishing employment to hundreds and
enriching those who have money invest
ed In them.
Chatham's Factories.
A cotton mill, where a splendid quality
of yarn is spun, is in full operation near
the city, while from the seed of cotton
many products are turned out by oil
mills. speciality of a cooking oil is
made, and great inroads upon the sale of
lard have been caused by the demand
for the substitute that is alleged to be
even superior. Fertilizer works are kept
busy. Savannah and vicinity being the
second city i'm the South in its production
of material for the regeneration of the
soil A number of saw mills and planning
mills cut mighty pine logs into timber or
shape and smooth planks for building.
Logs are fioated in RATS down the Sa-
vannah river, an easy and cheap means
of transportation being afforded to the
mills, where the saw transverts them into
a form for export or coastwise shipment.
There is steady demand for lampblack,
and factory near the city is kept con-
stantly busy filling the orders it receives.
For the products of varnish factory,
orders from as far as Chicago have been
received. Mattresses. wire springs, cots,
etc, are manufactured here,
and from the two box factories
and a barrel factory lumbermen receive
good prices for timber and the manufac-
turers derive excellent returns. In addi-
ton, there are clothing and shoe factories,
two ice factories, cigar factories, a broom
factory and a house for botthng mineral
waters. All manner of wooden ware is
made near the city, and there are brick
yards in the county that find splendid day
for material. Soap, patent medicines.
toilet articles, sausages and shingles are
among other things manufactured in or
near Savannah, while growing industry
is that of manufacturing products from
the pine and palmetto trees that are to
be found in abundance.
Clearly, from che great disparity in the
wealth of the county and the city, is is
evident that the former has not been de-
veloped as II should have been and as its
abundant resources would have justified.
An awakening 20 the advantages that are
patent in having so excellent a territory
within immediate reach of so thriving and
prosperous a city. however, will probably
be followed by rapid strides in develop
ment.