Volume 12 (1866) (428 pages)

The Blining and Scientific Breas, Riining Summary. N CALIFORNIA. Promas Counry.—A correspondent of the Downieville Alessenger, writing from Saw Pit Flat, says that the Eagle company is taking out gravel that is tinted handsomely with gold. The foreman recently took out 2 pan of dirt which yielded $29. The Franklin company are poshing the muin tunnel hack in search of another channel in the hill. Last week the company raised at the end of the tunnel, ond fnund gravel that promises well. The Union company is busy taking out and piling gravel of prime quality, The New York company is npening out io gravel tbat shows unmistakable signs of richness—pieces of gold heing picked up every day. The Monitor Company is getting handsome pny ; the company made a washing, week hefore last, and cleaned np $3,500 from a run of three duys. . ‘The American company, on the opposite side of the hill, ufter hattling nearly ten years with the hed rock, have raised a shaft forty feet over the hack of the tunnel, aod found gravel that promises to reward them for their toil, which pays from three to five dollars to the car-load. This will, no douht, resurrect some half dozen companies that have heen slumbering around the American, and hrisk times are at hand. Suasra.—The Tehama Observer of the 23d ult. speaks of some rich placer mines in Shasta county, as follows : Tipton & Burtt, of Red Bluff, sent $2,250 to Son Fraocisco,in dust, the largest grain of which was valued at $325, and other pieces went from 50 cents to $150, Tbe gold was hrought to Red Bluff hy George Burtt, of the firm of McPhee & Burtt, doing business at Dog Creek, Shasta county, some eighty miles north of this place, on the Sacramento river road to Yreka. It is represented as the richest gold mining section in the northern part of the State. One company, we are informed, are taking out $25 per day to the hand. Yusa.—The Marysville Appeal of the 28th ult. learns that L. B. Clark sold, a few days ago, his mining claims at Smartsville tor $315,000 in gold coin, retaining one-tenth unassessable, hese claims join the celebrated hine gravel mines, and were purchased by an Eastern company. ‘he ground is supposed to he very rich. Sizars.—A correspondent of the Messenger says tbnt the interest taken in mining in the southern portion of the county is daily increasing. The Union compauy have not been running their mill for some time, although they have heen husily at work and will commence to crush on Monday next. ‘The’ ‘l'wenty-One Company are sinking sbafts nnd taking out qnartz, as the mill is not in running order at present. The Fac Simile ledge is considered one of the hest in the vicinity, The Oak Mat company have, without doubt, an excellent claim. The ledge is now seven feet wide. They have two tunnels which are one hundred and thirty feet apart,in which the quartz is equally rich, and it must tuke along time to crush the quartz hetween the tunnels. The Masnnic company are working twenty men in their subterraneous gravel mine. ‘i'here are several other mines in this vicinity which are paying well. The eluices of the Erie company at Port Wine were cleaned up hy some tbievea on Friday night of last week. ‘They got ahout $1,000. The Messenger learns that Wasswick, on Thursday of last week, clenned up twenty-two ounces for one day’s work. Nevaps.—The Gazette learns that mining matters are still quite lively at Summit City. The California company have made one cleanup of their mill, and although the yield of the rock was less than expected, it was sufficieut to pay large profits. Mr. Benj. Jones and others, engaged in working a placer mine on Gold Flat, have recently discovered a quartz ledve in their claius six feet wide, and very rich in sulphurets and free gold. ‘They are able to trace it nearly 1,800 feet by surlace indications. They are hard-working and deserving men. A cumpany is running a tunnel under Main street in Nevada. It is being strongly timhered, aud the dirt is being run through sluices as it is beiog taken out. ‘be ground under the street has long been known to berich. In fact, the whole lower part of tbe city is built upon a rich placer mine. The Grass Valley Union says that another handsome specimen was hrought in from the Ophir mine on Tuesday evening last. ‘The somest and most valuahle specimen ever taken from a ledge in that vicinity. On Wednesday about ten thousand dollars worth of rock was tnken ont. The Ophir mine is proving to be one of the richest mines in that proverbially rich district. The Allison Ranch mine is paying from $100 to $1,000 perton, It is said that the owners of this mine—probahly the richest gold mine in the world—have divided fully one million of dollars, clear profits, within the past three years. Prohably this sum is below the mark. ‘Tbe earnings for Octoher last were $40,000; for November, $50,000. “Vhe nwners, we believe, are six in number. Puacer.—Accordiug to the Placer Herald, over one hundred ounces of gold was lately taken out of the Oro tuonel claim, near Forest Hill, as the week’s workof four men. ‘bis tunnel was commenced in the year 1853, and this is the first good yield ever had from it. We have a very interesting report of mining operationsat Ophirville, which we shall give next week. Axpine.—Mr: W. D. Root, the Secretary of the Geo. Washiogton Co., has shown us soe very fioe lookiog rock, which he has received the past week, taken from the company's tuonel. Itis thought to he from a spur, and that they will strike the main vein in a few days. Work is progressing ou the Active Co.’s mill. This company is’ putting up “ desulphurising works” by which their refractory ores will be submitted to a new process which has worked finely on a small scalc. High hopes are eotertained of important results, The Michigan Consolidated Mining Company, located near hy, will alsosoon commence work under the impetusof New York capital. TuotumNe.—On Tuesday of last week some prospectors discovered au immense vein of quartz of fine quality, on a hill near Sooorn. Specimeos yielded very well by mortar test. The locators will immediately have a quantity of the rock crushed, there heing at least twenty tons in sight, in order to definitely ascertain what it will pay. The Mount Vernon claim, Sugar Pine District, J. W. Mandeville & Co., owners, cleaned up week before last 218 ouoces out of forty tons of rock. Over 400 tons of quartz, according to the Courier, are now at the mouth of the tunnel of the Bacon mine, on Colder’s ranch, ten miles from Souora, and a large amount in addition is already in sight ready to be brought to surface a3 soon as will facilities can be furnished. The Sugar Pine district in this county is spoken of as noted for containing a large number of valuahle quartz ledges,’ some of which have already yielded avast amount of gold, while others are in a forward state of development. One of the most promising claims in the district is the Mount Moriah, nenr Unioutown, and ahout half a mile fromthe famous Excelsior. Martrosa.—Copper.—Tbe Mariposa Free Press says that reports from the Hamilton district concerning copper prospects still continue to he favorable. Several thousand pounds of the metal have heen smelted during the last two weeks at the works of Henry & Co., ready for shipment. Quite a little towo is springing up in the locality of these works at James’ ranch, which may eventually rival Copperopolis. .We shall refer more particularly next week to the copper mining interest of this county. : Marin.—fhe Marin county Journal says that there isno doubt but that the copper mines now beiog worked at Bolinas, in this county, will prove of great value. From the Hwing claim large quantities of ore is now being taken for shipment. After working for some time in search of the hidden treasure, the owners finally struck a vein of twenty per cent. ore, twn feet thick. The Uniou company are about to let a contract to rmn their tunnel two hundred feet farther, or until it strikes Ewing’s ledge. The length of the tunoel of this company, thus far, is something more than five hundred feet. The owners of these mines are sanguine of great results, as the indications are favorahle in the highest degree. We are glad to.see that the stockholders have the prudence to keep the stock among their own immediate residents, and not allow speculators the chance to come among them, and by extravagance and mismanngement “ freeze them out.” Menpocino.—Gold is fouud in Mendocino county, and quite 2 number of miners are said to he engnged in prospectizg the gulches there, some ol whom make 23 much as seven dollars per day. ESMERALDA. The editor of the Esmeralda Union has seen a sample of ore from the Mountain Queen inine at Montgomery, a quantity of which is ° being shipped via San Francisco to Swansea, England. This ore, per ton of 2,000 Iba, yields: silver, $1,011.95 ; gold, $13.02. The most experienced quartz miuers in this section . ore also nssays Tour per cent. of copper. A unite in the assertion that this is the hand-) second lot, from she same mine, is on the way, which is pronounced still richer. The Homestake mill, which has jnst heen completed at Bodie, is now in operation, everything working heantifully. The machiuery consists of twelve stamps, four of Hephurn’s pans, with three separators, and is driven by a thirtyhorse-power. engine. ‘The mill commenced crushing on the 27th ult.with three hundred tons of ore on hand, and asufficieot quantity coming out of the miue to keep up the supply. ‘Lhe ore pays on an average $80 per ton. Mr Gallagher, who is the chief owoer of the Crocket cluim, has lately returned to Aurora, from San Francisco, and, as we understand, will take charge of the mine, which, though hitberto worked hut little,still pays handsomely. .Mr. Markley, with others, has struck tbe Falkirk ledge at a depth of 140 feet on Last Chance Hill. It prospects very nicely. Work upon the same will be prosecuted vigorously. HUMBOLDT. The Humboldt Register says that “The Oreaua ” is one of the linest claims yct opened in the famous Arabia district. The ledge is about three feet in width, and the croppings assay as high as $111 to the too. The ore is in a position extremely favorable for working. Zt will require roasting. The brothers Black are still at work upon the Lavala, which contiuues tou widen as they descend. It is now 15 feet wide, and they ore following down the west wall, which cootinues smooth aud well cased with clay, and gradually receding, into the hill—promising at. water level a very wide veio. No great proportion of metal in the ledge now, but it is expected the ore will, as is usually the case, concentrate when water level is‘reacbed. ‘heir mill is on the ground, and will he erected as soon as the mineral vein will justify. NEVADA, The Enterprise says the Montana fever is quite prevalent in tbat city, and quite a rnsh thither from Washoe is predicted for next spring. Letters from that quarter speak most encouragiugly of the mincs there—hoth placer and quartz, There is a probability of work being resumed on many of the mines in the vicinity of Silver City that have lain idle for from one to three years. Iu most of the veios therenbouts gold is the predomioant paying metal, At the time hese leads were first prospected, the eharge for crushing was from 330 to $50 per ton. ‘Fhis was more than the whole yield of the ores. Of course miners could not afford ‘to pay snch prices, so they stopped work. Now, however, crushing is beiog done for ten dollars, aud these old and abandoned claims are likly to become valuable. Many of them yield ores that will pay froin $18 to $25 per ton, and a few, rock that would undoubtedly pay, by judicious assorting, as high as $35 or $40. Among the claims oamed as having resumed work are tbe Kossuth nud the Geuessee companies. A Fruir Przservino Tovse, with a capacity of 25,000 bushels, is to be erected at Buffalo, at a cost of $100,000. These houses have been thoroughly tested io Cleveland, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, New York and Greensboro, while large ones have just beeu fiaished in Pittsburg, Detroit, Chicago and St. Louis. A full description of one of these ‘ preserving houses” and the philosophy of the process, was given in our issuo of March 18th,1865. Who will be the first to sturt a similar establishment in this city ? ConcresstonaL CommitTEe on Mines.—The Speaker of tho National House of Representatives. iu his appointment of the new Committec on Mines aud Mining, has given representation to the gold mines of California aod Oregon, silver mines of Nevada, lead mines of Iowa and Wiscousin, copper mines of Michigan, iron and coal mines of Pennsylvania, and Iron Mountaiu mines of Missouri. The Committee consists of nine members, as follows, Mr. Higby being Chairmau: Higby, California; Ashley, Nevada; Cobb, Wisconsin ; Strouse, Pennsylvania; Driggs, Michigau; Ashley, Ohio; Henderson, Orcgon ; Allison, iowa ; and Noell of Missouri. Goop ror tae FarmErs.—The Calaveras Chronicle says: The early and abundant rains this season and the pleasant weather that followed, have enabled the farmers to make rapid . progress in plowing and planting their fields. Preseut indicatious are favorable to a good crop. Quixey Hatt is oue of ie oldest, largest and most respectable clothing cstablishments in San Francisco. Messrs. Davies & Sebafer . earn their success by enterprise. Tue Great Laxes to Be Connecrep wiTH ‘tHE Misstsstpp1.—At the last meetiug of the Polytechnic. Associatioo, Mr. Carter of Chicago, gnve some particulars in relation to the work of lowering the bed of the Illinois and Michigan canal, for the purpose of drainin the Chicago river into the Illinois. This oa is 100 miles in length, with a widtb of seventy feet at the surface. and thirty at the hottom. It connecte the Chicago river, at a point near the city, with the Illinois river at Peru. It passes over a suromit of about scven feet elevation, the water being raised fur this level hy a steam engine, ‘I'he first design of the engiheers was to sink the canal deep enough to avoid this summit level ; but, to save expense in construction, the Commissioners finally decided on the present plan. ‘he citizens of Chicage have, for some time, heen desirous to hnye the canal sunk through this level, in orter to drain the waters of the Chicago river through the canal into the Illinois, instead of allowing them to flow, as at preseot, into the lake, where they foulthe water of the harbor hy the sewerage of the city. It has finally been decided to do this work at the expeose of the city, and on the close of uavigation this year, numerous gangs of workmen are to commence the task so as to complete it with the least possible delay. Mr. Carter says that the length of the summit level is eighteen miles. Tue “ Dianonp ” Fever is raging furiously in Boise and Owyhee, according to last accounts in the Avalanche and Siaicsman. The editor of the former says he is the owner of only two diamood clnims, each 300 fect square, aod therefore keeps cool! Those parties who have successfully prospected for those brilliants think they bave the “ dead thing” on diamonds. Tbose crystals stand the severest tests, they . say. They are small, from the size of a grain of sand to that of a small grain of wheat, but they are found all over a tract of country forty miles square—between Boise city and Owyhee. It is stated that the prospectors, from a waut of mioeralogical information, and in their excited eagerness, are packing home any amount of quartz, in the belief ol tbeir being diamonds. Yet, so far from the diamond excitement being a hurlesque, says the Avalanche, it is a subject tlhnt commands the careful attention of the leading and best informed citizeos. Bio Waocons.—We noticed some time last Spring the construction and use of an immense wagon in Virginia City, Washoe, in which loads were hauled weighing as high as teu tons. This wagon was constructed for Mr. Carpenter, who nfter a thorough trial of the same for some eight months, und finding it a success, ordered the coustruction of nnother of twelve tons burthen. This new mammoth vehizle has been completed, avd weighs 7,050 pounds. Roan Locomotives.—A gigantic steam road locomotive is now at work in couoty Down, England, carrying freight from the Newcastle quarries. The niachine is very large and heavy, calculated to carry eighty tons with case. The practicability of road locomotives appears to have’ heen fully proven, within the past three or four years ; aod there cao senrce be a doubt apprehended that the great experimentabout tobe tried on the plaius, westward from Missouri, will prove a success. Increase or Patents.—The number of patents issued for the year 1865 shows the aggre-* gate to be 6,600, an increase of 1,600 over nny previous year. It was supposed that there would be issued from the Patent Office for the week ending January 2d, 1866, 129 new patents. here was issued forthe week eudiug with the 20th of June last, 160 patcnts—the largest oumber, we believe,ever issued from the office in any one week. The average weekly issue of patents for 1865 was 117; for 1860 itwas only 98. The full official returns may slightly vary the above figures; as the closing work of the ycar is in part only estimated. = Ou. 1x Cororpo.—The Denver News chronicles the fiuding of large quantities of oil in that Stnote. It says: We have every reason to believe from the indicatioos aod discoveries made, that portions of our 'Verritory are as rich iu petroleuin as the celebrated Pithole District in Pennsylvania. Near Canyon City a wellis now yielding twenty-four barrels per day of the best qnality of “ green oil.” This well is only seventy-five leet in depth, and is the ooly well that has been sunk for oil in the Territory. Some others are going down, but none have as yet reached any considerallé depth. ,

The Blining and Scientific Breas, Riining Summary. N CALIFORNIA. Promas Counry.—A correspondent of the Downieville Alessenger, writing from Saw Pit Flat, says that the Eagle company is taking out gravel that is tinted handsomely with gold. The foreman recently took out 2 pan of dirt which yielded $29. The Franklin company are poshing the muin tunnel hack in search of another channel in the hill. Last week the company raised at the end of the tunnel, ond fnund gravel that promises well. The Union company is busy taking out and piling gravel of prime quality, The New York company is npening out io gravel tbat shows unmistakable signs of richness—pieces of gold heing picked up every day. The Monitor Company is getting handsome pny ; the company made a washing, week hefore last, and cleaned np $3,500 from a run of three duys. . ‘The American company, on the opposite side of the hill, ufter hattling nearly ten years with the hed rock, have raised a shaft forty feet over the hack of the tunnel, aod found gravel that promises to reward them for their toil, which pays from three to five dollars to the car-load. This will, no douht, resurrect some half dozen companies that have heen slumbering around the American, and hrisk times are at hand. Suasra.—The Tehama Observer of the 23d ult. speaks of some rich placer mines in Shasta county, as follows : Tipton & Burtt, of Red Bluff, sent $2,250 to Son Fraocisco,in dust, the largest grain of which was valued at $325, and other pieces went from 50 cents to $150, Tbe gold was hrought to Red Bluff hy George Burtt, of the firm of McPhee & Burtt, doing business at Dog Creek, Shasta county, some eighty miles north of this place, on the Sacramento river road to Yreka. It is represented as the richest gold mining section in the northern part of the State. One company, we are informed, are taking out $25 per day to the hand. Yusa.—The Marysville Appeal of the 28th ult. learns that L. B. Clark sold, a few days ago, his mining claims at Smartsville tor $315,000 in gold coin, retaining one-tenth unassessable, hese claims join the celebrated hine gravel mines, and were purchased by an Eastern company. ‘he ground is supposed to he very rich. Sizars.—A correspondent of the Messenger says tbnt the interest taken in mining in the southern portion of the county is daily increasing. The Union compauy have not been running their mill for some time, although they have heen husily at work and will commence to crush on Monday next. ‘The’ ‘l'wenty-One Company are sinking sbafts nnd taking out qnartz, as the mill is not in running order at present. The Fac Simile ledge is considered one of the hest in the vicinity, The Oak Mat company have, without doubt, an excellent claim. The ledge is now seven feet wide. They have two tunnels which are one hundred and thirty feet apart,in which the quartz is equally rich, and it must tuke along time to crush the quartz hetween the tunnels. The Masnnic company are working twenty men in their subterraneous gravel mine. ‘i'here are several other mines in this vicinity which are paying well. The eluices of the Erie company at Port Wine were cleaned up hy some tbievea on Friday night of last week. ‘They got ahout $1,000. The Messenger learns that Wasswick, on Thursday of last week, clenned up twenty-two ounces for one day’s work. Nevaps.—The Gazette learns that mining matters are still quite lively at Summit City. The California company have made one cleanup of their mill, and although the yield of the rock was less than expected, it was sufficieut to pay large profits. Mr. Benj. Jones and others, engaged in working a placer mine on Gold Flat, have recently discovered a quartz ledve in their claius six feet wide, and very rich in sulphurets and free gold. ‘They are able to trace it nearly 1,800 feet by surlace indications. They are hard-working and deserving men. A cumpany is running a tunnel under Main street in Nevada. It is being strongly timhered, aud the dirt is being run through sluices as it is beiog taken out. ‘be ground under the street has long been known to berich. In fact, the whole lower part of tbe city is built upon a rich placer mine. The Grass Valley Union says that another handsome specimen was hrought in from the Ophir mine on Tuesday evening last. ‘The somest and most valuahle specimen ever taken from a ledge in that vicinity. On Wednesday about ten thousand dollars worth of rock was tnken ont. The Ophir mine is proving to be one of the richest mines in that proverbially rich district. The Allison Ranch mine is paying from $100 to $1,000 perton, It is said that the owners of this mine—probahly the richest gold mine in the world—have divided fully one million of dollars, clear profits, within the past three years. Prohably this sum is below the mark. ‘Tbe earnings for Octoher last were $40,000; for November, $50,000. “Vhe nwners, we believe, are six in number. Puacer.—Accordiug to the Placer Herald, over one hundred ounces of gold was lately taken out of the Oro tuonel claim, near Forest Hill, as the week’s workof four men. ‘bis tunnel was commenced in the year 1853, and this is the first good yield ever had from it. We have a very interesting report of mining operationsat Ophirville, which we shall give next week. Axpine.—Mr: W. D. Root, the Secretary of the Geo. Washiogton Co., has shown us soe very fioe lookiog rock, which he has received the past week, taken from the company's tuonel. Itis thought to he from a spur, and that they will strike the main vein in a few days. Work is progressing ou the Active Co.’s mill. This company is’ putting up “ desulphurising works” by which their refractory ores will be submitted to a new process which has worked finely on a small scalc. High hopes are eotertained of important results, The Michigan Consolidated Mining Company, located near hy, will alsosoon commence work under the impetusof New York capital. TuotumNe.—On Tuesday of last week some prospectors discovered au immense vein of quartz of fine quality, on a hill near Sooorn. Specimeos yielded very well by mortar test. The locators will immediately have a quantity of the rock crushed, there heing at least twenty tons in sight, in order to definitely ascertain what it will pay. The Mount Vernon claim, Sugar Pine District, J. W. Mandeville & Co., owners, cleaned up week before last 218 ouoces out of forty tons of rock. Over 400 tons of quartz, according to the Courier, are now at the mouth of the tunnel of the Bacon mine, on Colder’s ranch, ten miles from Souora, and a large amount in addition is already in sight ready to be brought to surface a3 soon as will facilities can be furnished. The Sugar Pine district in this county is spoken of as noted for containing a large number of valuahle quartz ledges,’ some of which have already yielded avast amount of gold, while others are in a forward state of development. One of the most promising claims in the district is the Mount Moriah, nenr Unioutown, and ahout half a mile fromthe famous Excelsior. Martrosa.—Copper.—Tbe Mariposa Free Press says that reports from the Hamilton district concerning copper prospects still continue to he favorable. Several thousand pounds of the metal have heen smelted during the last two weeks at the works of Henry & Co., ready for shipment. Quite a little towo is springing up in the locality of these works at James’ ranch, which may eventually rival Copperopolis. .We shall refer more particularly next week to the copper mining interest of this county. : Marin.—fhe Marin county Journal says that there isno doubt but that the copper mines now beiog worked at Bolinas, in this county, will prove of great value. From the Hwing claim large quantities of ore is now being taken for shipment. After working for some time in search of the hidden treasure, the owners finally struck a vein of twenty per cent. ore, twn feet thick. The Uniou company are about to let a contract to rmn their tunnel two hundred feet farther, or until it strikes Ewing’s ledge. The length of the tunoel of this company, thus far, is something more than five hundred feet. The owners of these mines are sanguine of great results, as the indications are favorahle in the highest degree. We are glad to.see that the stockholders have the prudence to keep the stock among their own immediate residents, and not allow speculators the chance to come among them, and by extravagance and mismanngement “ freeze them out.” Menpocino.—Gold is fouud in Mendocino county, and quite 2 number of miners are said to he engnged in prospectizg the gulches there, some ol whom make 23 much as seven dollars per day. ESMERALDA.

The editor of the Esmeralda Union has seen a sample of ore from the Mountain Queen inine at Montgomery, a quantity of which is ° being shipped via San Francisco to Swansea, England. This ore, per ton of 2,000 Iba, yields: silver, $1,011.95 ; gold, $13.02. The most experienced quartz miuers in this section . ore also nssays Tour per cent. of copper. A unite in the assertion that this is the hand-) second lot, from she same mine, is on the way, which is pronounced still richer. The Homestake mill, which has jnst heen completed at Bodie, is now in operation, everything working heantifully. The machiuery consists of twelve stamps, four of Hephurn’s pans, with three separators, and is driven by a thirtyhorse-power. engine. ‘The mill commenced crushing on the 27th ult.with three hundred tons of ore on hand, and asufficieot quantity coming out of the miue to keep up the supply. ‘Lhe ore pays on an average $80 per ton. Mr Gallagher, who is the chief owoer of the Crocket cluim, has lately returned to Aurora, from San Francisco, and, as we understand, will take charge of the mine, which, though hitberto worked hut little,still pays handsomely. .Mr. Markley, with others, has struck tbe Falkirk ledge at a depth of 140 feet on Last Chance Hill. It prospects very nicely. Work upon the same will be prosecuted vigorously. HUMBOLDT. The Humboldt Register says that “The Oreaua ” is one of the linest claims yct opened in the famous Arabia district. The ledge is about three feet in width, and the croppings assay as high as $111 to the too. The ore is in a position extremely favorable for working. Zt will require roasting. The brothers Black are still at work upon the Lavala, which contiuues tou widen as they descend. It is now 15 feet wide, and they ore following down the west wall, which cootinues smooth aud well cased with clay, and gradually receding, into the hill—promising at. water level a very wide veio. No great proportion of metal in the ledge now, but it is expected the ore will, as is usually the case, concentrate when water level is‘reacbed. ‘heir mill is on the ground, and will he erected as soon as the mineral vein will justify. NEVADA, The Enterprise says the Montana fever is quite prevalent in tbat city, and quite a rnsh thither from Washoe is predicted for next spring. Letters from that quarter speak most encouragiugly of the mincs there—hoth placer and quartz, There is a probability of work being resumed on many of the mines in the vicinity of Silver City that have lain idle for from one to three years. Iu most of the veios therenbouts gold is the predomioant paying metal, At the time hese leads were first prospected, the eharge for crushing was from 330 to $50 per ton. ‘Fhis was more than the whole yield of the ores. Of course miners could not afford ‘to pay snch prices, so they stopped work. Now, however, crushing is beiog done for ten dollars, aud these old and abandoned claims are likly to become valuable. Many of them yield ores that will pay froin $18 to $25 per ton, and a few, rock that would undoubtedly pay, by judicious assorting, as high as $35 or $40. Among the claims oamed as having resumed work are tbe Kossuth nud the Geuessee companies. A Fruir Przservino Tovse, with a capacity of 25,000 bushels, is to be erected at Buffalo, at a cost of $100,000. These houses have been thoroughly tested io Cleveland, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, New York and Greensboro, while large ones have just beeu fiaished in Pittsburg, Detroit, Chicago and St. Louis. A full description of one of these ‘ preserving houses” and the philosophy of the process, was given in our issuo of March 18th,1865. Who will be the first to sturt a similar establishment in this city ? ConcresstonaL CommitTEe on Mines.—The Speaker of tho National House of Representatives. iu his appointment of the new Committec on Mines aud Mining, has given representation to the gold mines of California aod Oregon, silver mines of Nevada, lead mines of Iowa and Wiscousin, copper mines of Michigan, iron and coal mines of Pennsylvania, and Iron Mountaiu mines of Missouri. The Committee consists of nine members, as follows, Mr. Higby being Chairmau: Higby, California; Ashley, Nevada; Cobb, Wisconsin ; Strouse, Pennsylvania; Driggs, Michigau; Ashley, Ohio; Henderson, Orcgon ; Allison, iowa ; and Noell of Missouri. Goop ror tae FarmErs.—The Calaveras Chronicle says: The early and abundant rains this season and the pleasant weather that followed, have enabled the farmers to make rapid . progress in plowing and planting their fields. Preseut indicatious are favorable to a good crop. Quixey Hatt is oue of ie oldest, largest and most respectable clothing cstablishments in San Francisco. Messrs. Davies & Sebafer . earn their success by enterprise. Tue Great Laxes to Be Connecrep wiTH ‘tHE Misstsstpp1.—At the last meetiug of the Polytechnic. Associatioo, Mr. Carter of Chicago, gnve some particulars in relation to the work of lowering the bed of the Illinois and Michigan canal, for the purpose of drainin the Chicago river into the Illinois. This oa is 100 miles in length, with a widtb of seventy feet at the surface. and thirty at the hottom. It connecte the Chicago river, at a point near the city, with the Illinois river at Peru. It passes over a suromit of about scven feet elevation, the water being raised fur this level hy a steam engine, ‘I'he first design of the engiheers was to sink the canal deep enough to avoid this summit level ; but, to save expense in construction, the Commissioners finally decided on the present plan. ‘he citizens of Chicage have, for some time, heen desirous to hnye the canal sunk through this level, in orter to drain the waters of the Chicago river through the canal into the Illinois, instead of allowing them to flow, as at preseot, into the lake, where they foulthe water of the harbor hy the sewerage of the city. It has finally been decided to do this work at the expeose of the city, and on the close of uavigation this year, numerous gangs of workmen are to commence the task so as to complete it with the least possible delay. Mr. Carter says that the length of the summit level is eighteen miles. Tue “ Dianonp ” Fever is raging furiously in Boise and Owyhee, according to last accounts in the Avalanche and Siaicsman. The editor of the former says he is the owner of only two diamood clnims, each 300 fect square, aod therefore keeps cool! Those parties who have successfully prospected for those brilliants think they bave the “ dead thing” on diamonds. Tbose crystals stand the severest tests, they . say. They are small, from the size of a grain of sand to that of a small grain of wheat, but they are found all over a tract of country forty miles square—between Boise city and Owyhee. It is stated that the prospectors, from a waut of mioeralogical information, and in their excited eagerness, are packing home any amount of quartz, in the belief ol tbeir being diamonds. Yet, so far from the diamond excitement being a hurlesque, says the Avalanche, it is a subject tlhnt commands the careful attention of the leading and best informed citizeos. Bio Waocons.—We noticed some time last Spring the construction and use of an immense wagon in Virginia City, Washoe, in which loads were hauled weighing as high as teu tons. This wagon was constructed for Mr. Carpenter, who nfter a thorough trial of the same for some eight months, und finding it a success, ordered the coustruction of nnother of twelve tons burthen. This new mammoth vehizle has been completed, avd weighs 7,050 pounds. Roan Locomotives.—A gigantic steam road locomotive is now at work in couoty Down, England, carrying freight from the Newcastle quarries. The niachine is very large and heavy, calculated to carry eighty tons with case. The practicability of road locomotives appears to have’ heen fully proven, within the past three or four years ; aod there cao senrce be a doubt apprehended that the great experimentabout tobe tried on the plaius, westward from Missouri, will prove a success. Increase or Patents.—The number of patents issued for the year 1865 shows the aggre-* gate to be 6,600, an increase of 1,600 over nny previous year. It was supposed that there would be issued from the Patent Office for the week ending January 2d, 1866, 129 new patents. here was issued forthe week eudiug with the 20th of June last, 160 patcnts—the largest oumber, we believe,ever issued from the office in any one week. The average weekly issue of patents for 1865 was 117; for 1860 itwas only 98. The full official returns may slightly vary the above figures; as the closing work of the ycar is in part only estimated. = Ou. 1x Cororpo.—The Denver News chronicles the fiuding of large quantities of oil in that Stnote. It says: We have every reason to believe from the indicatioos aod discoveries made, that portions of our 'Verritory are as rich iu petroleuin as the celebrated Pithole District in Pennsylvania. Near Canyon City a wellis now yielding twenty-four barrels per day of the best qnality of “ green oil.” This well is only seventy-five leet in depth, and is the ooly well that has been sunk for oil in the Territory. Some others are going down, but none have as yet reached any considerallé depth. ,