Volume 12 (1866) (428 pages)

The lining and Scientific Press, oe On what is snpposed to be sn extension ol thislead, Messrs. Wilson and Keys have struck some very rich rock, some epecimens of which were presented to me by Mr. Wilson, which show a larze amonut of free gold. They fouud tho vein divided into two parts cach abont five inches wide. They have sunk to a depth of nboat forty feet, and opened the ledge ‘ora distance of fifty feet north sud south. It is believed thnt the rock taken nut will yicld at least $100 per ton. Another very valuable lend i3 that of Messrs Barnes & WVussner, mentioned in the letter mentioned above, ut written lust April. The luwer tonnel has been completed, and hos struck the ledve after running 275 feet, ato depth ot 160 feet. Drifts liave been run on this level a distance of ninety feet, disclosing la vein from four inches to three feet thick, inveraging about twenty inelics. No roek had been crushed since my lust visit, but that lying lat the mouth of tho tunnel, was pronouneed hy fe utilltnen in the party to be very rich. The vek worked last year pid over $100 per ton. About a thousand feet west of the abovo is the ledge claimed by Messrs. {lildebrnnd and elds, which is from four to twelve ivehes in hicknesz, and hus puid $45 to $70 per ton. tis opened to a depth of 120 feet below the urface by a tunnel 150 feet in length along lie lead, and a shaft lings been sunk, thirty ect heluw the tunnel. ‘This lead shows no igus of “ giving out.” ilalfa mile northeast of Skull Flat, is the Poxus lead, owned by Mr. J. Candrum, familarly known among the miners as “'l'exas,” by vom it wns discovered and opened in Sepember last. Ife has opened it along the surace fora distance of some twenty or thirty eet. Ita average breadth is about tea inches, nd the rock has paid abont $35 per ton. Near tie Texas, Messrs. Johnsen and Willis have iscovered and partially prospected a lode bout a loot wide, which they think will pay 70 or $8) per ton, though none of their quartz a3 yet been crushed. On my way hack to Vest Point I visited the mine of Gouldson & Vo., situated one and a half miles east of Weat oint. ‘hey havo opened their ledge but bout fifteen feet down from the surface, as liey are tronhled with water. It has heen hus far about two feet in average width, and he rock taken out fora distance of fifty or ixty fect along the surlace has paid, accord. ny to the statement of Mr. Gouldson, $120 ber ton. ‘I'he owners are now engaged jn runtng a tunnel from the ravine to the westward f the claim tostrikethe lead. This isin now distance of 275 feet, and lacks : bout seventy eet of having reached the ledge. ‘I'he tunnel ventilnted by air-shults hored upward through jhe granite to tho surface, with a twn-inch ugur. Ihave not noticed all the ledges disuvered, nor ull of which I have notes, but aly enough tu give the reader something of 0 idea of the character of the quartz mining perations now carried ou ia the West Point istrict. On ‘Yuesday morning, I left West Point in jompiny with the Superintendeut, Mr. J. K. Pine, to visit the works of THR EAGLE QUARTZ MININO COMPANY, fituated on the right bank of the north fork Wf the Mokelumne, in Amador county, aad bout two and a half miles north of West Point. ‘The property of the company consists if five different ledges, on each of which they laim 4,000 feet. ‘lle principal of these are he Contreras, and the -Hagle. ‘I'he former of hese is believed to he the most valuable, as it roved to be very rich when worked by Mexijana soine years since. Mr. Pine coimenced york for reopening it during my stay, and with jattering prospects: ‘he work of the comjany has lreretofore been confiued to the Ragle iedee, a3 that was most favorably located tor johvenience in removing the quartz to the j ill, which was huilt belore the property came to the hands of the preseat company. ‘This pdge, like the Contreras, was origiaally worked by Mexicans, and was said to he very rich on hesarlace. Mr. Piae has run a tunnel into he hill a distance of 160 feet,alf of which istance itis on the ledge. Where the ledge 8 first struck, at a distance of eighty feet from he mouth of the tunnel, it is about eight mehes thiek, but on following it thirty feet Jucther, a body of quartz, two feet wide was truck, and in twenty feet more, one of three et, while at the back end of the tuanel there B scarcely any quartz at all,the distance beween the walls, about tliree feet, being filled With different strata of slate, greenstone talc, }te., all, lowever, coataiuing more or less gold, nd Mr. P. is sangnine that the quartz will agaiu lithe vein at a distance of a few feet farther in. Meantime Mr. Pine is taking out from topes above and below the tunnel sufficient jock to keep the mill running. The rock pushed thns far has paid an average of $35 per toa. The tail lconsists of one 5-stamp battery anda Banx & Guiod’s pan. The later is of a new pattern, which Mr. Banx calls . jaiproved, but it does not seem to work as well . 8 one of the first style, now in use at tbe Mina Rica. Still, however, it gives pretty good eutisfaction. ‘Ihe mill is driven by water power, furnished by n large overshot wheel, driven hy water tuken froai tho river about half a otile above. ‘The upper part of the flume carrying this water was submerged during the freshet last winter to a depth, Iam told, of fifty feet. yet it was never moved. It is a light inelosed Hime, with notimber henvier than the ineh boards of which it is buill, and is fastened down to the living granite by half-inch rods of iron bent over the flume and wedged inat esch end, into holes drilled in the rock. ‘I'he whole work was designed and exeented by Mr. Pine, for the Kaglo Co., vad is a triumph of engineering skill, over natural obstacles of the most stubborn chometer. During the sfternoon, Mr. Vine, Mr. Waker. nad myself visited the Pioheer mine sume tliree miles to the nortleust of tho Eagle, and three and a linlf nbovo Volcano. ‘fhis mino I have noticed more at length in a former letter. The object of onr present yisit was to sco the working of the cutcentrating nnd amalgamating machinery, invented by the Superintendent, Mr. Ambler, and which we understood had heen sturted the day before. We found Mr. A. busy putting up the machinery, which was started only a lew minutes before we were compelled hy tho lateness of the hour to return, und { was unableto get as full an idea of the machinery us I should be gind to do before attempting a description of the process. ‘he concentrating upparatus consists of a‘ slum-tub” or settler, and a concentrator, the former heing made ol iron, and on exactly tho same principle 83 “ Stevenot's Concentrator’’ descrihed in a letter from Rohinson’s Ferry, publighed in the Press of March 25th. 1865, with the exception that this is made of iron nod that was of wood. ‘I'he concentrator consists of a trough with sides of wood with hottom and vertically curved ends of galvanized iron, so hung thst one side shall be shout oneeighth of an inch lower thanthe other. Over the lowest side is placed a fine screen, to secure unilormity in the size of the particles passing intothe concentrator, which is given, by means of an eccentric or crank, a jarring, Idngitudinal motion, which causes the lighter portion of the sands to he carried off by the streain of water running out at tbe higher side of the conceatrator, while the sulphurets and heavy niatter, settles on the lowest side. ‘I'he amalgamator ia attached to the same beam, and shares the motion of the concentrator, and is of the same torm, differing in haviag the bottom formed of amalgamated copper-plate, instead of iron, and heing set perfectly horizontaf instead of slightly inelined. Across the top of the amalgamator is secured a wide buard,in which are fastened a large number of little wooden pegs, which reach to the hottom and break up the palp, as it is thrown agaiust them by the jarring of the machine, causing the quicksilver to be more thoroughly oixed with it and preventing it from packing oa the bottom of the trough. I am not sulficiently p sted to be able to sny whiether this machinery will succeed ur not, but my companions. both practicul men. expressed themselves as highly pleased with its operation. One thing is certain ; it is cheap, and requires very little power, which is quite a poiat 1 its lavor, After spending the night at the Eagle, Mr. Pine very kindly loaned ine his borse to visit THR BELDINO MINE, Located a mile and a half above the Eagle, on the same side of the river, but distant, by the road, aboat five miles. ‘I’his niine is owaed by the California Furnace Co., of San Francisco, and superintended by Mr. J.C. Benjamin of Voleano. A shaft has been sunk on the ledge toa depth of 154 feet, all the way through hard granite. ‘The ledge ia of an average width of two feet as lar as explored, and evideutly improves us it goes down. It is the most regular in ite size and character of any ledge in this range. The shaft is three feet by six in the clear, and well and thoroughly timhered with heavy sawed timhers, making a fiue working sbaft lor a permanent mine. The mill consists of five stamps, with one of Wheeler & Rundal’s (No. 1) pans, used as a grindar aad five of Knox’s amalgammators. It is driven at this season of the year by water power; bat a 10-horse steam engine is used in dry weather. ‘his company have constructed a furnace lor roasting and desulpharizing ores by O’Donnel’s superhoated steam process. ‘I'he furaace has a eupacity of fifty tons. Mr. Benjamin estimates that by this process. the yield of gold is increased Irom one-third to one-half, witha very slight increase of eost. Mr. B. says that lor four yerrs, the mill has never been stopped for waat of quartz, and that the average pay has beca $85 pertoa. I dined with Mr. Benjamin, and remouating sooa fouad myself at the Hayle mill, where I spent the aizht, and onthe morning of 'I'hursday bade good bye to my obliging host, and started in company with Mr. Anderson, one of the employees of the Eagle Co., for West Point,on our way to visit a ledge claimed by Messrs. Anderson & Smith, and situated on Anderson’s Flat, four miles above. On our way ap, we called at the ae Mina Rica, and on our retura stopped and took dinner with Mr. Morris of the Nestor mill, who showed us a lead, which he had locuted and wns working, or rather prospecting with fuir promise of success. ‘I'he ledge is about two leet wide, and is opened on the surface for a long distance, though . beliove ot ao point toa greater depth than shout twenty feet. He has about 300 tons of quartz out which he estimates at ten dollurs per ton, which would give very little profitin working by tho “ urmstra” process, but Mr. M. hopes to make it profitable, when cheaper and more effective ineaus of crushing are introduced. Rich Guleh, Calhiveras co., Feb., 1866. [To be Continued.) ae (Wrilen for the Mining and Sctentifie Mress.] Resources of Siskiyou Oounty, BY PROF. 0. K. GODFREY. Agrecably to promiso,1 now send you a sketch of the agricultural and mineral resources of Siskiyou county. This large connty stretches nearly across the northern extremity of the State, and is worthy of notice not only ina mineral point of view, but also on acconnt of its rich ugricultursl lands. It is interspersed with and surrounded on all sides by towering mountains, oae of which is Monnt Shasta, the highest peak io California, (Tre examiaations of Professor Brewer, of the California State Geologicnl Survey, made in the summer of 1864, near the head waters of the Kern and Kings rivers, in the southern portion of the State, prove that there is at least one peak in that vicinity which overtops Monnt Shasta, and isin all prohability the highest mountain in the United States. Mr. Brewer ascended this peak to the hight of 14,730 feet, at which point his progress was stopped, although he had not reaehed the top. A brief accoant of this reconnoisance was published in this paper uader date of October 8, 1864£—Ens. Minino ann Scirntiric Press.} ‘There are three fine valleys—one at the extreme eastern part of the county ond two ia the western. Surprise, Sbasta and Scott valleys redeem it from the sterility and ruggedness of its general aspect. These valleys, though elevated several thousand feet ahove sea level, are very fertile, and susceptible of a higb scale of cultivation. Rich green foliage, which clothes them in spring and early summer, presents a singular contrast with the snowy-clad peaks around them. Surprise Valley is sitaated fifteen miles to the southeast from Guose Luke, on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains. It lies north and soath, and is fifty miles in lengtb from actual measurement, and averages about ten miles in width. Lassen’s old em‘grant road passed throngh the upper end of this valley between two lakes, and hat little was known about it till the houndary sarvey was made hetween Nevada and California. The line runs lensthwise throngh the eastera portion of the valley. The most prominent and attractive features of the valley surroundiags are the three lakes located ia different parts of the valley, and the Sierra Nevada pine-clad mouutaias, having a number of creeks gushing forth from their summits, and winding through the valley, which finally empty iato these lakes. During the past two years it has proven to be susceptible of growing all kinds of grains and vegetahles. Shasta Valley presents rather a singular appearance from its formation. It is about thirty-five miles long and some tea miles in width, and stretches away Irom the base of Mount Shasta to the northwest, where the lower end narrows to a cation, through which Shasta river runs and empties into the Klamath. This valley is studded witb a hundred or more round moauds and conical bills, whose tops are strewn over with rocks and loag angular fragments, presenting a singular appearance, with Mount Shasta rising his hoary head high in the heavens, The agricultural lands lie in aarrow belts on either side of Shasta River and along creeks whtch come dowa from the mountains. this valley is well adapted to grazing purposes. During the winter scason large baads of stock find pasturage among the hills and aloug the creeks. ‘he flourishing city of Yreka, the largest north of Marysville, is located in a long, narrow valley, near the lower end of Shasta Valley, and the extraordinary yield of the mines in that vicinity and further west lias given it a long and coatinued prosperity. Yreka is a pleasnnt inland city, and in the suburbs of the town are aent dwellings, surrounded by luxuriant fruit and flower gnrdens, and everything necessary to reader a hume pleasunt and happy. ‘The streets are wide and tegulur ; the hotels, stores, nud business houses present 2 scene of lively activity. In education and morals the citizens hnve wisely taken a deep interest, and deserve credit for having goud sehools, fine churches, and able ginisters. Scott Valley, the qneen of all tho valleys in Northern Calitornia,is not only one of the most healthy hut one of the most fertile and pieturesque volleys in the Stnte. It is located in a mineral sectionof country. It is about lorty miles long, and will average fonr miles in width, though near the centre it widens to ten miles or incre. About half way of its leagth on the west side, whcre the main valley begins to contract, there is a mountain in tbe shape of a triungle, four miles long, which commences to rise gradually from tbe valloy towards the north to the hight of a thousand feet, where it terminates abruptly. At the northeast corner of the mountain, near Fort Joaes, tho valley and river bends sharply to the west, and leaves the narrow valley of Oro Fino on the west side of the mountain, which opens out into the msin valley to the northward. Parallel with Oro Fino Valley on the west is Quartz Mountain, extending north and sonth six miles, and is attached by a low divide to Salmon mountains. Quartz Vulley begins on the west side of the low divide near the Pinery, and is two miles wide,and opens out into the main valley nt the lower end, where the river enters the mountains. Scott Valley may he considered in its outliae lorm like a triangle. It contains many thousand acres of rich agricultural and grazing laads, and the surrounding mountains contain rich lodes of metsliferous rock. ‘The scenery is truly hesutiful and picturesque. The rich alluvial soil, dotted with pleasant dwellings and the homes of families, present a scene of comfort that is truly enviahle. The soil on the upland near the foot-hills is composed in part of gravel and sand, hence the roads are pleasant and smooth at all seasons of the year. his valley is well watered hy streams, affording an abundant sapply of water for the many herds of cattle, sheep, and swine that feed on the hill-sides and in the valleys. Following these streams, as they rush down the precipitous mountain sides, und then winding their way to the foot-hills, they afford many fine mill privileges. ‘There are five flouring mills and ten saw-mills located in different parts of the valley, whicb supply the citizens of the valley witb flour, and lencing aad huildiog luinber. On the west side of the valley is a dense forest of large pine, firand cedar timber, from half to a inile in width, stritching the whole length of the valley. ‘l’o the eustward of the valley the foot-hills and low ranges of mountains stretch awsy towards Shasta valley, through which Moffitt’s Creek winds around from the southeast and enters the valley at Fort Jones. These foot-hills furnish a fine range lor grazing purposes, and ahound in heautiful opea groves of oak and fine timber. At the lower end of the valley, where the river eaters the cafion, the mountaias rise abruptly, toweriug in wild confusion above the clouds, aud clothed in the hahiliments of snow, while deep in the valleys below rushes the overflowiag waters of Scott River} Scott Valley is the Eden of Siskiyou county. The checkered fields are finely fenced, and at litle intervals comfortable farm-houses nnd orchards attest the result of the laborers —of the tillers of the soil. ‘Ihis valley is the home of a thrifty and rapidly increaging population, devoted to rural and miniag pnrsuits. The villages of Oro Fino, Rough and Ready, and Fort Jones have growa ap in different parts of the valley, and are prosperons and will coatinue to tbrive with the energy and industry of the iatelligeat and hardy farmer and miner. ‘They have a rich county to support them, in productive soil and undevetoped mines, which will last for years before they are exhaasted. Ia my aext I will give an account of the mineral resonrees of this county. Many, if not most, of the presidents and professors of our leading colleges have anited in a memorial, looking to the adoption by this coautry of the decimal system ol weights aad measures now curreut in France, Holland, Belgium, Spain, Italy,and some other countries. They propose to begin by having it explained and agalyzed in all our aritbmetics. Tuerr have alresdy beea organized sixteen hnndred and thirty National Banks, with an ageregate capital of four hundred aad nine millions. The total amount of circulation up to the present time is two hundred and sixtytwo millions of dollars.

The lining and Scientific Press, oe On what is snpposed to be sn extension ol thislead, Messrs. Wilson and Keys have struck some very rich rock, some epecimens of which were presented to me by Mr. Wilson, which show a larze amonut of free gold. They fouud tho vein divided into two parts cach abont five inches wide. They have sunk to a depth of nboat forty feet, and opened the ledge ‘ora distance of fifty feet north sud south. It is believed thnt the rock taken nut will yicld at least $100 per ton. Another very valuable lend i3 that of Messrs Barnes & WVussner, mentioned in the letter mentioned above, ut written lust April. The luwer tonnel has been completed, and hos struck the ledve after running 275 feet, ato depth ot 160 feet. Drifts liave been run on this level a distance of ninety feet, disclosing la vein from four inches to three feet thick, inveraging about twenty inelics. No roek had been crushed since my lust visit, but that lying lat the mouth of tho tunnel, was pronouneed hy fe utilltnen in the party to be very rich. The vek worked last year pid over $100 per ton. About a thousand feet west of the abovo is the ledge claimed by Messrs. {lildebrnnd and elds, which is from four to twelve ivehes in hicknesz, and hus puid $45 to $70 per ton. tis opened to a depth of 120 feet below the urface by a tunnel 150 feet in length along lie lead, and a shaft lings been sunk, thirty ect heluw the tunnel. ‘This lead shows no igus of “ giving out.” ilalfa mile northeast of Skull Flat, is the Poxus lead, owned by Mr. J. Candrum, familarly known among the miners as “'l'exas,” by vom it wns discovered and opened in Sepember last. Ife has opened it along the surace fora distance of some twenty or thirty eet. Ita average breadth is about tea inches, nd the rock has paid abont $35 per ton. Near tie Texas, Messrs. Johnsen and Willis have iscovered and partially prospected a lode bout a loot wide, which they think will pay 70 or $8) per ton, though none of their quartz a3 yet been crushed. On my way hack to Vest Point I visited the mine of Gouldson & Vo., situated one and a half miles east of Weat oint. ‘hey havo opened their ledge but bout fifteen feet down from the surface, as liey are tronhled with water. It has heen hus far about two feet in average width, and he rock taken out fora distance of fifty or ixty fect along the surlace has paid, accord. ny to the statement of Mr. Gouldson, $120 ber ton. ‘I'he owners are now engaged jn runtng a tunnel from the ravine to the westward f the claim tostrikethe lead. This isin now distance of 275 feet, and lacks : bout seventy eet of having reached the ledge. ‘I'he tunnel ventilnted by air-shults hored upward through jhe granite to tho surface, with a twn-inch ugur. Ihave not noticed all the ledges disuvered, nor ull of which I have notes, but aly enough tu give the reader something of 0 idea of the character of the quartz mining perations now carried ou ia the West Point istrict. On ‘Yuesday morning, I left West Point in jompiny with the Superintendeut, Mr. J. K. Pine, to visit the works of THR EAGLE QUARTZ MININO COMPANY, fituated on the right bank of the north fork Wf the Mokelumne, in Amador county, aad bout two and a half miles north of West Point. ‘The property of the company consists if five different ledges, on each of which they laim 4,000 feet. ‘lle principal of these are he Contreras, and the -Hagle. ‘I'he former of hese is believed to he the most valuable, as it roved to be very rich when worked by Mexijana soine years since. Mr. Pine coimenced york for reopening it during my stay, and with jattering prospects: ‘he work of the comjany has lreretofore been confiued to the Ragle iedee, a3 that was most favorably located tor johvenience in removing the quartz to the j ill, which was huilt belore the property came to the hands of the preseat company. ‘This pdge, like the Contreras, was origiaally worked by Mexicans, and was said to he very rich on hesarlace. Mr. Piae has run a tunnel into he hill a distance of 160 feet,alf of which istance itis on the ledge. Where the ledge 8 first struck, at a distance of eighty feet from he mouth of the tunnel, it is about eight mehes thiek, but on following it thirty feet Jucther, a body of quartz, two feet wide was truck, and in twenty feet more, one of three et, while at the back end of the tuanel there B scarcely any quartz at all,the distance beween the walls, about tliree feet, being filled With different strata of slate, greenstone talc, }te., all, lowever, coataiuing more or less gold, nd Mr. P. is sangnine that the quartz will agaiu lithe vein at a distance of a few feet farther in. Meantime Mr. Pine is taking out from topes above and below the tunnel sufficient jock to keep the mill running. The rock pushed thns far has paid an average of $35 per toa. The tail lconsists of one 5-stamp battery anda Banx & Guiod’s pan. The later is of a new pattern, which Mr. Banx calls . jaiproved, but it does not seem to work as well . 8 one of the first style, now in use at tbe Mina Rica. Still, however, it gives pretty good eutisfaction. ‘Ihe mill is driven by water power, furnished by n large overshot wheel, driven hy water tuken froai tho river about half a otile above. ‘The upper part of the flume carrying this water was submerged during the freshet last winter to a depth, Iam told, of fifty feet. yet it was never moved. It is a light inelosed Hime, with notimber henvier than the ineh boards of which it is buill, and is fastened down to the living granite by half-inch rods of iron bent over the flume and wedged inat esch end, into holes drilled in the rock. ‘I'he whole work was designed and exeented by Mr. Pine, for the Kaglo Co., vad is a triumph of engineering skill, over natural obstacles of the most stubborn chometer. During the sfternoon, Mr. Vine, Mr. Waker. nad myself visited the Pioheer mine sume tliree miles to the nortleust of tho Eagle, and three and a linlf nbovo Volcano. ‘fhis mino I have noticed more at length in a former letter. The object of onr present yisit was to sco the working of the cutcentrating nnd amalgamating machinery, invented by the Superintendent, Mr. Ambler, and which we understood had heen sturted the day before. We found Mr. A. busy putting up the machinery, which was started only a lew minutes before we were compelled hy tho lateness of the hour to return, und { was unableto get as full an idea of the machinery us I should be gind to do before attempting a description of the process. ‘he concentrating upparatus consists of a‘ slum-tub” or settler, and a concentrator, the former heing made ol iron, and on exactly tho same principle 83 “ Stevenot's Concentrator’’ descrihed in a letter from Rohinson’s Ferry, publighed in the Press of March 25th. 1865, with the exception that this is made of iron nod that was of wood. ‘I'he concentrator consists of a trough with sides of wood with hottom and vertically curved ends of galvanized iron, so hung thst one side shall be shout oneeighth of an inch lower thanthe other. Over the lowest side is placed a fine screen, to secure unilormity in the size of the particles passing intothe concentrator, which is given, by means of an eccentric or crank, a jarring, Idngitudinal motion, which causes the lighter portion of the sands to he carried off by the streain of water running out at tbe higher side of the conceatrator, while the sulphurets and heavy niatter, settles on the lowest side. ‘I'he amalgamator ia attached to the same beam, and shares the motion of the concentrator, and is of the same torm, differing in haviag the bottom formed of amalgamated copper-plate, instead of iron, and heing set perfectly horizontaf instead of slightly inelined. Across the top of the amalgamator is secured a wide buard,in which are fastened a large number of little wooden pegs, which reach to the hottom and break up the palp, as it is thrown agaiust them by the jarring of the machine, causing the quicksilver to be more thoroughly oixed with it and preventing it from packing oa the bottom of the trough. I am not sulficiently p sted to be able to sny whiether this machinery will succeed ur not, but my companions. both practicul men. expressed themselves as highly pleased with its operation. One thing is certain ; it is cheap, and requires very little power, which is quite a poiat 1 its lavor, After spending the night at the Eagle, Mr. Pine very kindly loaned ine his borse to visit THR BELDINO MINE, Located a mile and a half above the Eagle, on the same side of the river, but distant, by the road, aboat five miles. ‘I’his niine is owaed by the California Furnace Co., of San Francisco, and superintended by Mr. J.C. Benjamin of Voleano. A shaft has been sunk on the ledge toa depth of 154 feet, all the way through hard granite. ‘The ledge ia of an average width of two feet as lar as explored, and evideutly improves us it goes down. It is the most regular in ite size and character of any ledge in this range. The shaft is three feet by six in the clear, and well and thoroughly timhered with heavy sawed timhers, making a fiue working sbaft lor a permanent mine. The mill consists of five stamps, with one of Wheeler & Rundal’s (No. 1) pans, used as a grindar aad five of Knox’s amalgammators. It is driven at this season of the year by water power; bat a 10-horse steam engine is used in dry weather. ‘his company have constructed a furnace lor roasting and desulpharizing ores by O’Donnel’s superhoated steam process. ‘I'he furaace has a eupacity of fifty tons. Mr. Benjamin estimates that by this process. the yield of gold is increased Irom one-third to one-half, witha very slight increase of eost. Mr. B. says that lor four yerrs, the mill has never been stopped for waat of quartz, and that the average pay has beca $85 pertoa. I dined with Mr. Benjamin, and remouating sooa fouad myself at the Hayle mill, where I spent the aizht, and onthe morning of 'I'hursday bade good bye to my obliging host, and started in company

with Mr. Anderson, one of the employees of the Eagle Co., for West Point,on our way to visit a ledge claimed by Messrs. Anderson & Smith, and situated on Anderson’s Flat, four miles above. On our way ap, we called at the ae Mina Rica, and on our retura stopped and took dinner with Mr. Morris of the Nestor mill, who showed us a lead, which he had locuted and wns working, or rather prospecting with fuir promise of success. ‘I'he ledge is about two leet wide, and is opened on the surface for a long distance, though . beliove ot ao point toa greater depth than shout twenty feet. He has about 300 tons of quartz out which he estimates at ten dollurs per ton, which would give very little profitin working by tho “ urmstra” process, but Mr. M. hopes to make it profitable, when cheaper and more effective ineaus of crushing are introduced. Rich Guleh, Calhiveras co., Feb., 1866. [To be Continued.) ae (Wrilen for the Mining and Sctentifie Mress.] Resources of Siskiyou Oounty, BY PROF. 0. K. GODFREY. Agrecably to promiso,1 now send you a sketch of the agricultural and mineral resources of Siskiyou county. This large connty stretches nearly across the northern extremity of the State, and is worthy of notice not only ina mineral point of view, but also on acconnt of its rich ugricultursl lands. It is interspersed with and surrounded on all sides by towering mountains, oae of which is Monnt Shasta, the highest peak io California, (Tre examiaations of Professor Brewer, of the California State Geologicnl Survey, made in the summer of 1864, near the head waters of the Kern and Kings rivers, in the southern portion of the State, prove that there is at least one peak in that vicinity which overtops Monnt Shasta, and isin all prohability the highest mountain in the United States. Mr. Brewer ascended this peak to the hight of 14,730 feet, at which point his progress was stopped, although he had not reaehed the top. A brief accoant of this reconnoisance was published in this paper uader date of October 8, 1864£—Ens. Minino ann Scirntiric Press.} ‘There are three fine valleys—one at the extreme eastern part of the county ond two ia the western. Surprise, Sbasta and Scott valleys redeem it from the sterility and ruggedness of its general aspect. These valleys, though elevated several thousand feet ahove sea level, are very fertile, and susceptible of a higb scale of cultivation. Rich green foliage, which clothes them in spring and early summer, presents a singular contrast with the snowy-clad peaks around them. Surprise Valley is sitaated fifteen miles to the southeast from Guose Luke, on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains. It lies north and soath, and is fifty miles in lengtb from actual measurement, and averages about ten miles in width. Lassen’s old em‘grant road passed throngh the upper end of this valley between two lakes, and hat little was known about it till the houndary sarvey was made hetween Nevada and California. The line runs lensthwise throngh the eastera portion of the valley. The most prominent and attractive features of the valley surroundiags are the three lakes located ia different parts of the valley, and the Sierra Nevada pine-clad mouutaias, having a number of creeks gushing forth from their summits, and winding through the valley, which finally empty iato these lakes. During the past two years it has proven to be susceptible of growing all kinds of grains and vegetahles. Shasta Valley presents rather a singular appearance from its formation. It is about thirty-five miles long and some tea miles in width, and stretches away Irom the base of Mount Shasta to the northwest, where the lower end narrows to a cation, through which Shasta river runs and empties into the Klamath. This valley is studded witb a hundred or more round moauds and conical bills, whose tops are strewn over with rocks and loag angular fragments, presenting a singular appearance, with Mount Shasta rising his hoary head high in the heavens, The agricultural lands lie in aarrow belts on either side of Shasta River and along creeks whtch come dowa from the mountains. this valley is well adapted to grazing purposes. During the winter scason large baads of stock find pasturage among the hills and aloug the creeks. ‘he flourishing city of Yreka, the largest north of Marysville, is located in a long, narrow valley, near the lower end of Shasta Valley, and the extraordinary yield of the mines in that vicinity and further west lias given it a long and coatinued prosperity. Yreka is a pleasnnt inland city, and in the suburbs of the town are aent dwellings, surrounded by luxuriant fruit and flower gnrdens, and everything necessary to reader a hume pleasunt and happy. ‘The streets are wide and tegulur ; the hotels, stores, nud business houses present 2 scene of lively activity. In education and morals the citizens hnve wisely taken a deep interest, and deserve credit for having goud sehools, fine churches, and able ginisters. Scott Valley, the qneen of all tho valleys in Northern Calitornia,is not only one of the most healthy hut one of the most fertile and pieturesque volleys in the Stnte. It is located in a mineral sectionof country. It is about lorty miles long, and will average fonr miles in width, though near the centre it widens to ten miles or incre. About half way of its leagth on the west side, whcre the main valley begins to contract, there is a mountain in tbe shape of a triungle, four miles long, which commences to rise gradually from tbe valloy towards the north to the hight of a thousand feet, where it terminates abruptly. At the northeast corner of the mountain, near Fort Joaes, tho valley and river bends sharply to the west, and leaves the narrow valley of Oro Fino on the west side of the mountain, which opens out into the msin valley to the northward. Parallel with Oro Fino Valley on the west is Quartz Mountain, extending north and sonth six miles, and is attached by a low divide to Salmon mountains. Quartz Vulley begins on the west side of the low divide near the Pinery, and is two miles wide,and opens out into the main valley nt the lower end, where the river enters the mountains. Scott Valley may he considered in its outliae lorm like a triangle. It contains many thousand acres of rich agricultural and grazing laads, and the surrounding mountains contain rich lodes of metsliferous rock. ‘The scenery is truly hesutiful and picturesque. The rich alluvial soil, dotted with pleasant dwellings and the homes of families, present a scene of comfort that is truly enviahle. The soil on the upland near the foot-hills is composed in part of gravel and sand, hence the roads are pleasant and smooth at all seasons of the year. his valley is well watered hy streams, affording an abundant sapply of water for the many herds of cattle, sheep, and swine that feed on the hill-sides and in the valleys. Following these streams, as they rush down the precipitous mountain sides, und then winding their way to the foot-hills, they afford many fine mill privileges. ‘There are five flouring mills and ten saw-mills located in different parts of the valley, whicb supply the citizens of the valley witb flour, and lencing aad huildiog luinber. On the west side of the valley is a dense forest of large pine, firand cedar timber, from half to a inile in width, stritching the whole length of the valley. ‘l’o the eustward of the valley the foot-hills and low ranges of mountains stretch awsy towards Shasta valley, through which Moffitt’s Creek winds around from the southeast and enters the valley at Fort Jones. These foot-hills furnish a fine range lor grazing purposes, and ahound in heautiful opea groves of oak and fine timber. At the lower end of the valley, where the river eaters the cafion, the mountaias rise abruptly, toweriug in wild confusion above the clouds, aud clothed in the hahiliments of snow, while deep in the valleys below rushes the overflowiag waters of Scott River} Scott Valley is the Eden of Siskiyou county. The checkered fields are finely fenced, and at litle intervals comfortable farm-houses nnd orchards attest the result of the laborers —of the tillers of the soil. ‘Ihis valley is the home of a thrifty and rapidly increaging population, devoted to rural and miniag pnrsuits. The villages of Oro Fino, Rough and Ready, and Fort Jones have growa ap in different parts of the valley, and are prosperons and will coatinue to tbrive with the energy and industry of the iatelligeat and hardy farmer and miner. ‘They have a rich county to support them, in productive soil and undevetoped mines, which will last for years before they are exhaasted. Ia my aext I will give an account of the mineral resonrees of this county. Many, if not most, of the presidents and professors of our leading colleges have anited in a memorial, looking to the adoption by this coautry of the decimal system ol weights aad measures now curreut in France, Holland, Belgium, Spain, Italy,and some other countries. They propose to begin by having it explained and agalyzed in all our aritbmetics. Tuerr have alresdy beea organized sixteen hnndred and thirty National Banks, with an ageregate capital of four hundred aad nine millions. The total amount of circulation up to the present time is two hundred and sixtytwo millions of dollars.