Volume 14 (1867) (436 pages)

162 The Mining and Scientific Press, Gommnnicntions. In rag DEPARTMENT we invite the FREE DrscussIoN of ali ai alone bejug r jie for proper T the Yaeas and theories they advance. [Written for the Mining and Scieutifie Press.j “Breakage of Steamboat Shafts.” J. & PHILLIPS, ¢. & M., M. E, Messrs. Eprrors :—Observing an artiolé in your publication of February 2d, alluding to this subject, which concerns all travelers ; and having heard it verhally discussed previously, from its too frequent occurrence, I am incited to forward the following method of general manipulation adopted by the hest Englisb firms, and refer those most interested tothe valuable experimental tests on tbe relative strength of iron made by different processes, recorded by Rennie. The scrap iron obtained by waste forgings, and various worn out articles purchased from old iron dealers, and whicb are generally of the best quality, hecause most proprietors know that when work has to he forged to sbape, the best is ultimately the cheapest—form tho principal supply of these small accumulations, which are placed ot all angles, in a sbeet iron case, on the end of an iron bar, flattened to retain it seewely during its heating in a brick furnace ; the other end constituting the bandle for transferring the semi-molten faggot to and under what is denominated a ‘‘tilt hammer,” where it is kneaded between the narrow blocks at 2 varying angle of ahout 45° therewith, which is crossed by inversion of work, tbereby preventing the tendency to grain in any one direction by this transition. It is cut off, and others are worked on the same bandle, shaped and sized as required for after formations. When a shaft is to be made of any length, these are forged, as above, intosucb lengths and sizes as are most suitable, and are hundied on a central har, in concentric rings, fastened by smali, flat binding rings, until the first heat solidifies a portion thereof, under the action of a heavy steam hammer, as it rests in a V-shaped anvil-block, compressing the homogeneously prepared bars jnto intimate union by triangular action, driving the deleterions slags endwards hefore each advancing operation, which insures cohesion of molecules and superior quality. Ifthe skin of the shaft be allowed to remain, this will be strongertban another turned down to size. This contrasts favorably witb the plans of slabbing or welding forward in lengths; tbe iron partaking more of lineal, than transverse or tortional strength. To illustrate the comparative strengths of iron, faggotted from small scrap, I may state that the eminent Low Moor Tron Company, after tubular boilers were preferred, seeing the necessity for better end plates than bad been made by rolling, devised the arrangement of bars of small iron, previonsly selected, in layers of different angles ; or scrap iron in systematic ramifications, to insure the desired equality of strength, and keeping it by the continued advantages of the steam hammer’s divergent expansion, and correcting its thickness by rolling, both side and endways with the plates, to finisb. Tbis admirable arrangement produced tbe desired effects—a plate free from the hitherto dangerous and perplexing weakness between tbe perforations for the tubes, a boon supplied to tbe public, and monopoly of manufacture at mucb higber price. In Cornwall, a similar system bad been practiced for many years, by Messrs. Harnly & Co., and otbers, for the machinery of mines. Its superiority is fully recognized by the fact of fifty per cent. extra being given for such iron, and its application to tbe most responsihle places—such as side connection plates for large wood pumping rods, tbat extend from the surface to 2,000 feet deep; the steam engine workinggear ; and lastly, tbe miner’s pick, whicb is probably tbe most exacting test of its superior strength and durability. Itis barder, more compact, of greater specific gravity and tenacity from varied forces, partaking of the naturo of steel, for more uniform strength and durance, though possessed of the advantages of standing mucb preater heat, and consequent facility of manufacture, welding, ete, As all practical machinists know that the iron made from tbe ordinary methods, without tbis provisional intention for equalization and distribution of fiber, possesses cleavage and cousequent weakness, it follows that for tortional strain, it is less adapted because of greater vibratory motion, created by the varying forces applied tbereon, provoking electrical changes, from its originally fibrous, to granulous texture, which, exceeding the modulus of elasticity, fracture ensues. Humboldt City, Nev., Feh. 21. {Written for the Mining aid Seientifle Press.] Separation of Ores—Is it Necessary ? Eprrors Press :—I have asserted, through your columns, that the perfect concentration of ores, hy means of washing machines, necessitates previous separation into clifferent grades of size. Since that time the subject, previously neglected in this country, has received much consideration ; and some have taken exception to my views, which, bowever, are sustained, not only hy well known natural laws, but hy the best European practice, and the higbest scientific autborities, among whom are Regnault, Overman and Rittinger. IfI am wrong, I have at least erred in good company. The practical application of a theory, however perfect, is governed by possibility and expediency. We cannot do the impossible, nor wish to do that which is not profitable. There are, doubtless, many cases in which the operation of ‘‘sizing” may be dispensed with; as wben the whole of tbe matter is rednced to approximate equality by grinding, as at the Empire mill, at Grass Valley, where the ore passes from tbe hattery through a set of Beth’s grinders, and is afterwards treated in pans; or, the quantity of sulpburets may be small, or they may he poor; but when the sulphurets are rich, and the ore is not crushed very fine, it will he found advantageous. A Mr. George, an experienced wasber of tin ores, who was engaged in washing, for the tbird time, the tailings from the Eureka mill, and whose pardon I ask for the liherty I take with his name, told me that he found it impossible to save . the fine sulphurets without first treating . them in ao “huddle,” so as to separate the different sizes. It is true tbat the ‘‘cironlar shaking table with central discharge” has an advantage over some other machines in this respect, owing to tbe fact that tbe eurrent near its circumference is superficial, and almost im perceptible, while the oscillating motion keeps tbe sand in a loose state, permitting the smaller particles to wedge in between the larger, and facilitating thee fect of specific gravity ; yet this action hasi ts Hmits. Furtbormore, tbe sands are more perfectly treated when freed from the slime or mud, whicb is always present more or less, This is of less importance when the rock is a hard, clean quartz. In the case of silver ores, this slime is frequently the richest portion. It would be useless in this country, to recommend any process involviug repeated haudling of the ore. This and the flouring of mercury, are the main objections to working, “by charge,” in pans, and to Rittinger’s boxes, which discharge at tbe bottom; but sizing the tailings can be done without handling; and one box will generally be sufficient, its contents can be washed out, and directly into a concentrator. It is impossible to lay down special rules for all mills. Every case must be decided to a certain extent on its own merits; for, thougb tbe fundamental principles are immutable, tbe variety of conditions is infinite. Many costly errors have been committed for want of attention to this point. Tbe nature of tbe ore, the fineness of tbe gold, quantity of water at command, description of crushing machinery, aud situation of the works, from an ever varying combination by which results are modified. Owners of mills should employ a person possessing the requisite knowledge, and reliable for discernment and accuracy, to determine by observation and experiment, and not by tbeory alone, the best method of working under attainable conditions. This once doue, the work could be continued by aman of less extensive knowledge. . In conclusion, I will observe tbat the concentration of ores, and separation of mereury, is a subject that is worthy of careful study. It is one of the most difficult, as well a3 important problems of metallurgy. C. H. Aaron, [Written for the Mining and Scientife Press.] Is it too Late for Sowing Wheat ? BY PROFESSOR ROWLANDSON, F.G,8.L. Eprrors Press :—Many of your readers will probably feel surprised at seeing an article from me under the ahoveoaption. A few, bowever, will probably remember that during the eventful floods of 1861-62, several letters of mine which appeared in tbe Sacramento Union and San Francisco Builetin, on tbe then all-absorbing suhject, attracted no small share of attention. Very few, bowever, are aware tbat agriculture as well as mining, metallurgy, chemistry and geology, bas long been made a special study by me. These prefatory observations are needed, in order to excuse what might witbout such explanation be deemed impertinent. The question of the prime “‘staff of life” to the community generally, and especially tbe laboring man and his family, is, bowever, sufficiently important to justify even a slight deviation from ordinary routine, when tho actuating motive is fora general and not a personal henefit. The following qnotations from an article on tbe subject, which appeared in last Monday’s Ala, has given rise to the present communication : “The continued rains affect the agricultural districts unfavorahly. In the Sacramento Basin, from Shasta to Visalia, the farmers complain that the ground istoo wet for eitber plowing or sowing. The Stockton Independent says it is now too late to put in grain, but endeavors to draw consolation from the idea that a hetter system of enltivation will he adopted hereafter. It says: ‘The rain this winter has henefitted farmers, inasmuch as it gives proof of the necessity of late spring plowing, and early sowing in the fall. It is to summer-fallowed fields that we must chiefly look in the present season for our cereals, Those who had not plowed their land hefore the first beavy rains, have been debarred from doing so ever since; and were the sky to become clear to-day, and so continue, it would he a weck or two hefore the valley land could be worked withont doing it great injury. But even if lend could be plowed during the present month, the season for wheat to grow and mature would be so short that a full crop could not reasonably be looked for. Our winter storms, then, heuefit the agricultural interests of tho State, inasmuch as they teach farmers a profitable lesson.’” In hrief, late sowing, as a general rule, in California, is to be deprecated, cbiefly on two grounds. First, because if wheat is sown so late as March or April, in the majority of year's the droughts of summer will usually dwarf the crop. This cause is so apparent and well understood, that it need not be dwelled upon further. Tbe second, and perhaps less understood cause of failure, arises from tbe fact tbat it has generally been observed that late sown wheat, especially on lands exposed to the influence of the ‘‘summer winds,” are often seriously damaged by a disease often denomiuated ' plight, but more particularly known as “rnst,” which destroys not unfrequently from one to two-thirds of the anticipated crop, the balance being also of inferior quality. Ithink it will be admitted tbat, generally, wben a loss of crop has been occasioned in consequence of the presence of rust, it bas occurred almost always with crops sown duriug the months of January, February and March ; but especially during February, and usually during seasons when moisture bas been moderately ahundant uutil the month of April and not afterwards, It may be bere mentioned tbat the rust or plight alluded to, is produced by a minnte eryptogam or fungus, which disseminates itself tbrougb the entire, but chiefly in the eenerallyluxuriantleaves of the wheat plant, in consequence of the existence of favorable conditions for its development—cold and moisture. Now, my theory is tbis—if wheat is sown during any fine weather between the present time and the second week of April, the chances are strong that sufficient moisture will fell between now and the first week in June to push the plant sufficiently forward to be out of dauger from drought ; the dry weatber which will subsequently ensue will prevent all danger from rust, for tbe latter is the consequence generally of an over-suceulent foliage, and would he perfectly checked by the drought of summer. In conclusion, I may explain that the above recommendation for farmers to sow wheat tion ; that Ibave always remarked that during seasons at all approximating to the present for rain, we have never been witbout sufficiently ample growing sbowers up to and sometimes into the month of June. For the emergenoy of such seasons as the present, prudent California farmers might always he prepared witb the seed of some variety of spring wheat. The Occidental Mine, Virginia City. Virainis, Nev., Feb, 18th, 1867, Messrs. Weston & Co,—Genitlemen :— On the 5th of September last I made an inspection of the Occidental mine, at your request, and the results of my ohservations and assays were communicated in my report of the 10th of that month. In that paper, I stated that a new tunnel had been commenced, with a veiw of cutting the vein at a perpendicular depth of 200 feet below the then lowest level (160 feet below the croppings). One hundred and eigbty feet of this lower tunnel had then been completed, and the casing of the vein reached, which presented the same mineralogical character as the casing of the pay ore in the upper workings. On the 15th of this month, I made another inspection of the mine, and was mucb gratified to find that my anticipations of Septemher have been fully realized, hoth with regard to the quality and quantity of the ore reached, although, from an unexpected variation in tbe dip of the vein towards tbe perpendicular, the tunnel (rnuning diagonally with it) has had to he carried to a greater distance than was then anticipated. It is now in 400 feet, and a rich hody of ore has heen struck, which is proved by the incline connecting it with the upper (160-foot) level to he an uninterrupted continuation of the fine body of ore whicb has supplied your mill, and by which upwards of $250,000 has heen extracted up to the present time since the commencement of work on the mine, eighteen months ag0. At this part of the mine the portion of the vein carrying the pay ore has heen found to average about twelve feet in width, and, as it has heen drifted on, east and west, I calculate that not less than forty tons per day can he taken from this tunnel as soon as it is sufficiently opened to admit an adequate force of men. Thus, ou the very moderate calculation that the pay rock does not continue of its present quality (as shown by the following assays) and quantity, for more than one-tenth of the extent of your claim (of 1,800 feet), you have, at the present moment, not less than about four years’ consumption in sight at tbe rate of forty tons per day. Should, however, another tunnel be opened at alower level, I see no difficulty in extracting from 100 to 150 tons of ore per day, which would then place yonr mine on a par with the best on the Comstock. This operation, bowever, would be attended with a considerable outlay of capital, whicb would probably remove it beyond the limit of individual enterprise, and could be most advantageously conducted by a joint stock company. In order to obtain an average of the quality of the ore now being extracted from the incline and tunnel. I took two samples from each of tbese parts of the mine, and by assay obtained the following results, viz: FROM INCLINE--WEST DRIFT. Gold SUVCI eet ee 78 54 er) 63 pr ton. DO.—EAST DRIFT. Let) } Peep eee eee eee eee eee st $12 54 SVCD ic ccveeenecessensnessseeannensencensoncs 54 97 $07 51 prton. FROM TUNNEL—WEST DR‘'FT. Gold nS? Biiver. sce cs ceeeceeees ce enee cere cee enna Gold. Silver. $53 37 prton. Giving an ayerage of $87.88 per ton. Assuming that the average of the bulk of ore thrown on the dump does not exceed $60 per tou, and that, by the present imperfect system of reduction, only 50 per cent. of the assay value will be obtained at tbe mill (say $30 per ton), tbe gross receipts for four years’ working, at tbe rate of forty tons per day, would be $1,752,000, or $438,000 per annum. Witb tbe very liberal allowance of $12 per ton for extraction, hauling and reduc tiou, it follows that the annnal profit cannot fall short of $262,000, or $1,051,200 from the amount of ore now in sight, and which may be realized within ico years by a proportionate increase of your facilities for extraction and reduction, J remain, genthis season, up to at least the first week in. tlemen, your very obedient servant, . April, is based upon twelve years’ observaW. 'T. Ricxanrp, F.C.S., £&e,

162 The Mining and Scientific Press, Gommnnicntions. In rag DEPARTMENT we invite the FREE DrscussIoN of ali ai alone bejug r jie for proper T the Yaeas and theories they advance. [Written for the Mining and Scieutifie Press.j “Breakage of Steamboat Shafts.” J. & PHILLIPS, ¢. & M., M. E, Messrs. Eprrors :—Observing an artiolé in your publication of February 2d, alluding to this subject, which concerns all travelers ; and having heard it verhally discussed previously, from its too frequent occurrence, I am incited to forward the following method of general manipulation adopted by the hest Englisb firms, and refer those most interested tothe valuable experimental tests on tbe relative strength of iron made by different processes, recorded by Rennie. The scrap iron obtained by waste forgings, and various worn out articles purchased from old iron dealers, and whicb are generally of the best quality, hecause most proprietors know that when work has to he forged to sbape, the best is ultimately the cheapest—form tho principal supply of these small accumulations, which are placed ot all angles, in a sbeet iron case, on the end of an iron bar, flattened to retain it seewely during its heating in a brick furnace ; the other end constituting the bandle for transferring the semi-molten faggot to and under what is denominated a ‘‘tilt hammer,” where it is kneaded between the narrow blocks at 2 varying angle of ahout 45° therewith, which is crossed by inversion of work, tbereby preventing the tendency to grain in any one direction by this transition. It is cut off, and others are worked on the same bandle, shaped and sized as required for after formations. When a shaft is to be made of any length, these are forged, as above, intosucb lengths and sizes as are most suitable, and are hundied on a central har, in concentric rings, fastened by smali, flat binding rings, until the first heat solidifies a portion thereof, under the action of a heavy steam hammer, as it rests in a V-shaped anvil-block, compressing the homogeneously prepared bars jnto intimate union by triangular action, driving the deleterions slags endwards hefore each advancing operation, which insures cohesion of molecules and superior quality. Ifthe skin of the shaft be allowed to remain, this will be strongertban another turned down to size. This contrasts favorably witb the plans of slabbing or welding forward in lengths; tbe iron partaking more of lineal, than transverse or tortional strength. To illustrate the comparative strengths of iron, faggotted from small scrap, I may state that the eminent Low Moor Tron Company, after tubular boilers were preferred, seeing the necessity for better end plates than bad been made by rolling, devised the arrangement of bars of small iron, previonsly selected, in layers of different angles ; or scrap iron in systematic ramifications, to insure the desired equality of strength, and keeping it by the continued advantages of the steam hammer’s divergent expansion, and correcting its thickness by rolling, both side and endways with the plates, to finisb. Tbis admirable arrangement produced tbe desired effects—a plate free from the hitherto dangerous and perplexing weakness between tbe perforations for the tubes, a boon supplied to tbe public, and monopoly of manufacture at mucb higber price. In Cornwall, a similar system bad been practiced for many years, by Messrs. Harnly & Co., and otbers, for the machinery of mines. Its superiority is fully recognized by the fact of fifty per cent. extra being given for such iron, and its application to tbe most responsihle places—such as side connection plates for large wood pumping rods, tbat extend from the surface to 2,000 feet deep; the steam engine workinggear ; and lastly, tbe miner’s pick, whicb is probably tbe most exacting test of its superior strength and durability. Itis barder, more compact, of greater specific gravity and tenacity from varied forces, partaking of the naturo of steel, for more uniform strength and durance, though possessed of the advantages of standing mucb preater heat, and consequent facility of manufacture, welding, ete, As all practical machinists know that the iron made from tbe ordinary methods, without tbis provisional intention for equalization and distribution of fiber, possesses cleavage and cousequent weakness, it follows that for tortional strain, it is less adapted because of greater vibratory motion, created by the varying forces applied tbereon, provoking electrical changes, from its originally fibrous, to granulous texture, which, exceeding the modulus of elasticity, fracture ensues. Humboldt City, Nev., Feh. 21. {Written for the Mining aid Seientifle Press.] Separation of Ores—Is it Necessary ? Eprrors Press :—I have asserted, through your columns, that the perfect concentration of ores, hy means of washing machines, necessitates previous separation into clifferent grades of size. Since that time the subject, previously neglected in this country, has received much consideration ; and some have taken exception to my views, which, bowever, are sustained, not only hy well known natural laws, but hy the best European practice, and the higbest scientific autborities, among whom are Regnault, Overman and Rittinger. IfI am wrong, I have at least erred in good company. The practical application of a theory, however perfect, is governed by possibility and expediency. We cannot do the impossible, nor wish to do that which is not profitable. There are, doubtless, many cases in which the operation of ‘‘sizing” may be dispensed with; as wben the whole of tbe matter is rednced to approximate equality by grinding, as at the Empire mill, at Grass Valley, where the ore passes from tbe hattery through a set of Beth’s grinders, and is afterwards treated in pans; or, the quantity of sulpburets may be small, or they may he poor; but when the sulphurets are rich, and the ore is not crushed very fine, it will he found advantageous. A Mr. George, an experienced wasber of tin ores, who was engaged in washing, for the tbird time, the tailings from the Eureka mill, and whose pardon I ask for the liherty I take with his name, told me that he found it impossible to save . the fine sulphurets without first treating . them in ao “huddle,” so as to separate the different sizes. It is true tbat the ‘‘cironlar shaking table with central discharge” has an advantage over some other machines in this respect, owing to tbe fact that tbe eurrent near its circumference is superficial, and almost im perceptible, while the oscillating motion keeps tbe sand in a loose state, permitting the smaller particles to wedge in between the larger, and facilitating thee fect of specific gravity ; yet this action hasi ts Hmits. Furtbormore, tbe sands are more perfectly treated when freed from the slime or mud, whicb is always present more or less, This is of less importance when the rock is a hard, clean quartz. In the case of silver ores, this slime is frequently the richest portion. It would be useless in this country, to recommend any process involviug repeated haudling of the ore. This and the flouring of mercury, are the main objections to working, “by charge,” in pans, and to Rittinger’s boxes, which discharge at tbe bottom; but sizing the tailings can be done without handling; and one box will generally be sufficient, its contents can be washed out, and directly into a concentrator. It is impossible to lay down special rules for all mills. Every case must be decided to a certain extent on its own merits; for, thougb tbe fundamental principles are immutable, tbe variety of conditions is infinite. Many costly errors have been committed for want of attention to this point. Tbe nature of tbe ore, the fineness of tbe gold, quantity of water at command, description of crushing machinery, aud situation of the works, from an ever varying combination by which results are modified. Owners of mills should employ a person possessing the requisite knowledge, and reliable for discernment and accuracy, to determine by observation and experiment, and not by tbeory alone, the best method of working under attainable conditions. This once doue, the work could be continued by aman of less extensive knowledge. . In conclusion, I will observe tbat the concentration of ores, and separation of mereury, is a subject that is worthy of careful study. It is one of the most difficult, as well a3 important problems of metallurgy. C. H. Aaron, [Written for the Mining and Scientife Press.] Is it too Late for Sowing Wheat ? BY PROFESSOR ROWLANDSON, F.G,8.L. Eprrors Press :—Many of your readers will probably feel surprised at seeing an article from me under the ahoveoaption. A few, bowever, will probably remember that during the eventful floods of 1861-62, several letters of mine which appeared in tbe Sacramento Union and San Francisco Builetin, on tbe then all-absorbing suhject, attracted no small share of attention. Very few, bowever, are aware tbat agriculture as well as mining, metallurgy, chemistry and geology, bas long been made a special study by me. These prefatory observations are needed, in order to excuse what might witbout such

explanation be deemed impertinent. The question of the prime “‘staff of life” to the community generally, and especially tbe laboring man and his family, is, bowever, sufficiently important to justify even a slight deviation from ordinary routine, when tho actuating motive is fora general and not a personal henefit. The following qnotations from an article on tbe subject, which appeared in last Monday’s Ala, has given rise to the present communication : “The continued rains affect the agricultural districts unfavorahly. In the Sacramento Basin, from Shasta to Visalia, the farmers complain that the ground istoo wet for eitber plowing or sowing. The Stockton Independent says it is now too late to put in grain, but endeavors to draw consolation from the idea that a hetter system of enltivation will he adopted hereafter. It says: ‘The rain this winter has henefitted farmers, inasmuch as it gives proof of the necessity of late spring plowing, and early sowing in the fall. It is to summer-fallowed fields that we must chiefly look in the present season for our cereals, Those who had not plowed their land hefore the first beavy rains, have been debarred from doing so ever since; and were the sky to become clear to-day, and so continue, it would he a weck or two hefore the valley land could be worked withont doing it great injury. But even if lend could be plowed during the present month, the season for wheat to grow and mature would be so short that a full crop could not reasonably be looked for. Our winter storms, then, heuefit the agricultural interests of tho State, inasmuch as they teach farmers a profitable lesson.’” In hrief, late sowing, as a general rule, in California, is to be deprecated, cbiefly on two grounds. First, because if wheat is sown so late as March or April, in the majority of year's the droughts of summer will usually dwarf the crop. This cause is so apparent and well understood, that it need not be dwelled upon further. Tbe second, and perhaps less understood cause of failure, arises from tbe fact tbat it has generally been observed that late sown wheat, especially on lands exposed to the influence of the ‘‘summer winds,” are often seriously damaged by a disease often denomiuated ' plight, but more particularly known as “rnst,” which destroys not unfrequently from one to two-thirds of the anticipated crop, the balance being also of inferior quality. Ithink it will be admitted tbat, generally, wben a loss of crop has been occasioned in consequence of the presence of rust, it bas occurred almost always with crops sown duriug the months of January, February and March ; but especially during February, and usually during seasons when moisture bas been moderately ahundant uutil the month of April and not afterwards, It may be bere mentioned tbat the rust or plight alluded to, is produced by a minnte eryptogam or fungus, which disseminates itself tbrougb the entire, but chiefly in the eenerallyluxuriantleaves of the wheat plant, in consequence of the existence of favorable conditions for its development—cold and moisture. Now, my theory is tbis—if wheat is sown during any fine weather between the present time and the second week of April, the chances are strong that sufficient moisture will fell between now and the first week in June to push the plant sufficiently forward to be out of dauger from drought ; the dry weatber which will subsequently ensue will prevent all danger from rust, for tbe latter is the consequence generally of an over-suceulent foliage, and would he perfectly checked by the drought of summer. In conclusion, I may explain that the above recommendation for farmers to sow wheat tion ; that Ibave always remarked that during seasons at all approximating to the present for rain, we have never been witbout sufficiently ample growing sbowers up to and sometimes into the month of June. For the emergenoy of such seasons as the present, prudent California farmers might always he prepared witb the seed of some variety of spring wheat. The Occidental Mine, Virginia City. Virainis, Nev., Feb, 18th, 1867, Messrs. Weston & Co,—Genitlemen :— On the 5th of September last I made an inspection of the Occidental mine, at your request, and the results of my ohservations and assays were communicated in my report of the 10th of that month. In that paper, I stated that a new tunnel had been commenced, with a veiw of cutting the vein at a perpendicular depth of 200 feet below the then lowest level (160 feet below the croppings). One hundred and eigbty feet of this lower tunnel had then been completed, and the casing of the vein reached, which presented the same mineralogical character as the casing of the pay ore in the upper workings. On the 15th of this month, I made another inspection of the mine, and was mucb gratified to find that my anticipations of Septemher have been fully realized, hoth with regard to the quality and quantity of the ore reached, although, from an unexpected variation in tbe dip of the vein towards tbe perpendicular, the tunnel (rnuning diagonally with it) has had to he carried to a greater distance than was then anticipated. It is now in 400 feet, and a rich hody of ore has heen struck, which is proved by the incline connecting it with the upper (160-foot) level to he an uninterrupted continuation of the fine body of ore whicb has supplied your mill, and by which upwards of $250,000 has heen extracted up to the present time since the commencement of work on the mine, eighteen months ag0. At this part of the mine the portion of the vein carrying the pay ore has heen found to average about twelve feet in width, and, as it has heen drifted on, east and west, I calculate that not less than forty tons per day can he taken from this tunnel as soon as it is sufficiently opened to admit an adequate force of men. Thus, ou the very moderate calculation that the pay rock does not continue of its present quality (as shown by the following assays) and quantity, for more than one-tenth of the extent of your claim (of 1,800 feet), you have, at the present moment, not less than about four years’ consumption in sight at tbe rate of forty tons per day. Should, however, another tunnel be opened at alower level, I see no difficulty in extracting from 100 to 150 tons of ore per day, which would then place yonr mine on a par with the best on the Comstock. This operation, bowever, would be attended with a considerable outlay of capital, whicb would probably remove it beyond the limit of individual enterprise, and could be most advantageously conducted by a joint stock company. In order to obtain an average of the quality of the ore now being extracted from the incline and tunnel. I took two samples from each of tbese parts of the mine, and by assay obtained the following results, viz: FROM INCLINE--WEST DRIFT. Gold SUVCI eet ee 78 54 er) 63 pr ton. DO.—EAST DRIFT. Let) } Peep eee eee eee eee eee st $12 54 SVCD ic ccveeenecessensnessseeannensencensoncs 54 97 $07 51 prton. FROM TUNNEL—WEST DR‘'FT. Gold nS? Biiver.. sce cs ceeeceeees ce enee cere cee enna Gold.. Silver. $53 37 prton. Giving an ayerage of $87.88 per ton. Assuming that the average of the bulk of ore thrown on the dump does not exceed $60 per tou, and that, by the present imperfect system of reduction, only 50 per cent. of the assay value will be obtained at tbe mill (say $30 per ton), tbe gross receipts for four years’ working, at tbe rate of forty tons per day, would be $1,752,000, or $438,000 per annum. Witb tbe very liberal allowance of $12 per ton for extraction, hauling and reduc tiou, it follows that the annnal profit cannot fall short of $262,000, or $1,051,200 from the amount of ore now in sight, and which may be realized within ico years by a proportionate increase of your facilities for extraction and reduction, J remain, genthis season, up to at least the first week in. tlemen, your very obedient servant, . April, is based upon twelve years’ observaW. 'T. Ricxanrp, F.C.S., £&e,