*** Source: History and Business Directory of Humboldt County, Lillie E. Hamm, November 1890, Eureka, Cal. *** ---page 087--- [ad] Pianos and Organs LATEST ASSORTMENT SHEET MUSIC J. E. Mathews [ad] HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY 87 bushels. These figures are not the result of guess work or hap-hazard statements, but are based on the affidavits of farmers who undertook to weigh the product of their fields. There is not a section of the State, even in the famed grain-growing districts, where a better showing can be made as to quantity and quality, than in this county. The annual yield of cereals is as follows: Wheat...Bushels 350,000 Oats..." 600,000 Barley..." 250,000 Corn..." 100,000 Much of the land which is now used solely as pasturage would, if brought under cultivation, produce the largest crops of grain and hay. This land can now be purchased at from $8 to $15 per acre in quantities to suit. FORESTRY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY. We have already devoted much space to the redwood of Humboldt county, and will, therefore attempt to describe the other trees, which are the wealth of its forests. THE DOUGLAS SPRUCE Is found growing amongst the redwoods, and is second only in point of value to that latter timber. It is known to commerce as "Oregon pine," and also in different localities along the coast as "red fir," "yellow fir" and "spruce." Two distinct varieties exist as regards color and general peculiarities of the wood, the yellow variety being most commonly met with in Humboldt county. Without being by any means a hard wood, its firmness of texture and elasticity renders it peculiarly valuable for many purposes of construction. It is the ship lumber of the Pacific Coast. In the construction of vessels it is invaluable, and compares most favorably with the best woods in the Eastern States for that purpose excepting oak. While not invulnerable to the ravages of the teredo, it to a degree resists its attacks. In finishing work and flooring it is sawed to present a vertical grain and is used for these purposes on this coast, to the exclusion of other and softer woods. In a paper published in the Century Magazine entitled "The Coniferous Forests or the Sierra Nevada," by Mr. John Muir, the writer states: "This tree is the king of the spruces, as the sugar pine is the king of pines, often obtaining a height of nearly two hundred feet, and diameter of six or seven." MENZIES SPRUCE, Or, as it is generally known as "spruce," often grows to a height of 150 feet and a diameter of six at the base. It is found within a radius influenced by the ocean and seeks a rich soil. The wood is soft and mellow, satiny and fine in texture, but it makes knotty lumber and rapidly decays, hence it is not held in esteem by the lumberman, and is passed by in contempt. It is a beautiful ornamental tree. THE GRAND SILVER FIR. Or, as it is known locally, white fir, on the Eel and Van Duzen rivers, skirts the redwood and is common on Mad river, where it forms bodies by itself. It is a [ad] Gibbard & Lever Do All Styles of Upholstering and Repairing PIONEER B'DG Cor. 3d & H St. [ad] ---end---