At present the chief industry of the county consists of manufacturing
its forests into the various forms of lumber and its products, the
lumber cut aggregating four hundred million feet and two hundred
million shingles.
Next in importance probably are the precious metal and coal deposits
of the county, which have, however, been but little developed.
The coal measures include bituminous, lignite and anthracite, and
are of great extent in the foothills of the eastern part of the
county. Two systems of railroads have been projected into these
fields, and the nearest, carrying lignite and bituminous coals,
are being commercially developed.
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Agriculture, including especially dairying and fruit culture, takes
the place of the forests as they are removed and bids fair to reach
in importance, in time, the lumber and coal resources. To this
end, the soil fertility, the mild climate and cool mountain waters
conspire.